14-Year-Old Alleged Burglar Shot by Homeowner After Entering Los Angeles Home
To tell the truth, this tale had a greater impact than most headlines.
After reportedly stealing into someone’s house, a 14-year-old teenager was shot early one morning in Encino. The time was not late. Most of us are still half sleeping by 5:10 a.m., possibly getting ready for work or school.
The homeowner awoke to the sound of someone attempting to break in, according to the LAPD. There was more to this than a knock on the door or a lock being checked. He put his family into a safe room since it was so violent. Imagine a father grabbing a rifle and hurrying his wife and children into a safe room. That demonstrates just how real the threat seemed at the time.
The 14-year-old allegedly brandished what seemed to be a Samurai sword as he faced the invaders. Initially, the homeowner fired a warning shot. However, he fired again, striking the child as the teenager continued to advance.
The teenager ran along with the others. The LAPD eventually discovered the abandoned black Volkswagen automobile they had escaped in, with blood on the seat. After being shot, the same teenager later appeared at a hospital. His mother initially claimed to the police that he had been shot at random during a drive-by. However, the facts were inconsistent.
The car was stolen, it turned out. By connecting the dots, police were able to link it to the Encino scene. At that point, the story began to change from a young suspect in a home invasion to an innocent teen injured in random violence.
Was It Really a Samurai Sword? The Weapon Confusion
Have you ever heard something so outrageous that you had to stop and wonder, “Wait, was that real?”
When the homeowner first reported that the teenager was carrying a Samurai sword, I reacted exactly the same way. In addition to holding it, he seemed to be approaching the man despite the warning shot having previously been fired.
The twist is that it wasn’t a sword.
The weapon was eventually identified by police as a crowbar. A lengthy metal object may easily be mistaken for something far worse in a darkly lit house in the heat of the moment. Particularly when your family is hiding in the other room and your adrenaline is pumping.
I am not here to debate the homeowner’s actions or inactions. However, it does demonstrate how perception may drastically alter a person’s response, particularly when under duress.
It also begs the more profound question: would you wait to be certain if you were in that circumstance?
Can You Legally Shoot a Burglar in California?
Let’s make everything plain. TX is not California. Although self-defense rules in this area are stringent, they do permit some safeguards within your house.
The Castle Doctrine is the name of it. In essence, if someone enters your house illegally, the law assumes that you are in danger and grants you the right to use lethal force provided you have a good reason to think that you are defending your family or yourself.
However, the word reasonable is important. Someone stepping on your porch does not give you the right to shoot them. A genuine threat must exist, such as forcible entry or menacing conduct.
The homeowner in this Encino instance claims that despite a warning shot, the teenager continued to approach him brandishing what seemed to be a weapon. That might qualify as a real threat under California law.
However, the LAPD has not yet stated if any charges would be brought. To determine if the shooting was within the law, the DA will probably examine the case. And if it doesn’t, things can change quickly.
The lesson learned? If you own a home, be aware of both your rights and your limitations.
There have also been other reports of similar group break-ins, such as the time four masked burglars broke into a Youngstown apartment and took money and identification. This coordinated attack strategy is not limited to the local area.
Who Was the Teen, and What Actually Happened After the Shooting?
This is where the situation becomes even more bizarre.
The boy is a child, so we don’t know his identity, but NBC Los Angeles reports that he and several other people fled in a black Volkswagen vehicle after being shot. The vehicle? taken.
Not far from the location, police later discovered it abandoned and filled with blood. They found him shot in the chest at the local hospitals as a result of it.
His mother initially claimed it was a random drive-by gunshot to the police and medical professionals. But an inquiry revealed that story was untrue. Detectives were able to establish the connection between the Encino break-in and the blood trail and the stolen vehicle.
This violent act was a part of a planned early-morning break-in, not an isolated incident.
Now, we don’t know if this was the teen’s first time doing this or if he had a record. However, it’s clear that he wasn’t acting alone. He was accompanied by others. Furthermore, the involvement of a 14-year-old begs important issues regarding the current state of juvenile crime in Los Angeles.
Just a few weeks ago, Teddi Mellencamp’s home in Encino was the target of an attempted burglary while her family was inside, proving that it’s not just regular families who are being harmed. Celebrities are not exempt from the worry.
Encino s Breaking Point This Isn t the First Time
You’ve undoubtedly felt it lately if you live in Los Angeles, particularly the Valley. the underlying discomfort that something isn’t quite right.
Encino residents had already been on edge just days before, two well-known neighbors, Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca, were found murdered in what police now say was another home burglary. Less than a mile separated that incident from the most recent shooting.
People are installing motion cameras, floodlights, panic rooms, and locking their doors during the day.
The neighborhood is rocked once more, even though this teen made it out alive. Another brutal break-in at home. Another instance where a person felt compelled to shoot.
Crime numbers are no longer the only thing to consider. It s about how safe you feel walking down your own street, or lying in bed at 5 a.m.
And I don t blame anyone for being rattled. I d be, too.
In fact, several neighborhood WhatsApp groups have been lighting up with late-night messages about strange cars, doorbell camera footage, and talk of forming watch groups. That tells you everything about how seriously people are taking safety right now.
The LAPD Says Burglary Is Down So Why Are People So Scared?
This is where things get complicated.
The LAPD has said in recent press releases that burglaries in the West Valley area are actually down in 2025 compared to the past couple of years. But when you look at what people are experiencing on the ground, it sure doesn t feel that way.
And honestly, stats don t comfort you when you just watched two neighbors get murdered or a teen get shot half a block away.
There s this growing gap between official numbers and real fear. And when people feel like their home isn t safe, numbers don t matter much. What matters is the feeling that something s out of control and no one s fixing it.
The Encino community is already calling for better police presence, more patrols, and quicker response times. After all, what good are stats if people don t feel protected?
Have you or someone you know experienced a break-in or felt unsafe lately even if crime stats say otherwise? Share your thoughts in the comments. Stories like yours are part of the bigger picture.
What Happens Next For the Teen, and for the Homeowner
Now that the dust has settled a bit, this is where the legal machine kicks in.
Police say the 14-year-old could face multiple charges, including burglary and obstructing justice. Whether or not he s tried as a juvenile or something more serious depends on how the DA evaluates the case.
There s also the matter of his mother filing a false police report, claiming it was a drive-by. That alone could carry legal consequences.
As for the homeowner, LAPD hasn t arrested or charged him. Not yet, anyway. But the District Attorney s office is reviewing the shooting to see if it meets the legal definition of justifiable self-defense.
And this is where it gets tricky.
If they decide he used excessive force or that the threat wasn t clear enough, there could be consequences. It s rare but it s not impossible. Especially in California, where use-of-force laws are tighter than most states.
So even though the homeowner isn t in cuffs today, this story isn t over.
Not by a long shot.
Arrests like these aren t isolated just recently, aQueens man was charged in a $50,000 Westport home burglary, showing how far-reaching and organized some of these operations can be.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Home Without Ending Up in Court?
Let s be real no one wants to be in a position where they have to pick between getting hurt and hurting someone else.
But what if I told you there s a middle ground? A smarter, safer way to handle home threats without resorting to a gun unless it s absolutely necessary?
Here s what I always suggest to families I talk to:
-
Create a safe zone in your home
: a room with a lock, flashlight, phone charger, and maybe pepper spray. -
Invest in layered security
: outdoor motion lights, video doorbells, glass break sensors, and a monitored alarm system. Even the basics help. -
Talk to your family
: everyone should know what to do if they hear a noise at night. Who calls 911? Who grabs the kids? -
Do not chase intruders
. That s when things go sideways fast. Let police do their job. -
Know the law
. Understand what qualifies as legal self-defense in California. If you re armed, you need to know when you re protected and when you re not.
Because the truth is, protecting your home shouldn t come at the cost of your freedom, your mental health, or someone s life.
Want more tips on home safety, real-life break-ins, and burglary prevention? Visit our fullHome Security sectionfor the latest insights and expert breakdowns.
Disclaimer:The details in this article are based on publicly available reports at the time of writing. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This content is intended for informational purposes only, not legal advice.
Table of Contents
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Was It Really a Samurai Sword? The Weapon Confusion
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Can You Legally Shoot a Burglar in California?
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Who Was the Teen, and What Actually Happened After the Shooting?
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Encino s Breaking Point This Isn t the First Time
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The LAPD Says Burglary Is Down So Why Are People So Scared?
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What Happens Next For the Teen, and for the Homeowner
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What Can You Do to Protect Your Home Without Ending Up in Court?
