Female Homeowner Shoots & Kills Intruder in East Texas

A female homeowner in East Texas shot and killed a man attempting to break into her home early Tuesday morning.

KLTV reports that the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a homeowner living on Texas State Highway 19 near Canton, who said she had just shot an intruder trying to force his way into her home.

Deputies with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrived shortly thereafter and discovered the body of 37-year-old Christopher Ray Foster, a criminal with an extensive rap sheet. According to KLTV, he had just been released after spending time in the Van Zandt County Jail for failing to register as a sex offender. He had been trying to break in through the side door when the homeowner opened fire.

“Presently, as the result of underfunding and inadequate staffing at the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, homeowners need to take appropriate precautions to protect their families,” Sheriff Michael Lindsey Ray said in a statement. “I will continue to support the law abiding citizens of our community when they are forced to take actions to protect their lives, liberty and property.”

In addition to the failed break-in attempt, Foster is also believed to be responsible for a nearby structure fire on Monday night, KLTV notes.

“The subject shot and killed was the suspect in the arson fire being investigated by the County Fire Marshal,” a Van Zandt County Fire Marshal/Emergency Management statement reads. “The County Fire Marshal, along with the investigators with the Sheriff’s Office and Justice of the Peace were able to link the subject to the fire by physical evidence found on his person.”

According to KLTV, the shooting has been sent to the Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney’s Office for possible grand jury referral, as is standard procedure. The homeowner has not been arrested.