Tragic home invasion leaves one dead, 13-year-old son calls 911
- Replies 0
In the quiet suburbs of Southern California, a family's peaceful evening was shattered by a harrowing home invasion that ended in tragedy.
A 61-year-old father was fatally shot, and it was his quick-thinking 13-year-old son who made the crucial call to 911.
This chilling incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for the unthinkable and how a calm response in a crisis can make all the difference.
It was around 6:26 pm on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday when terror struck an Arcadia home, located just 8 miles east of Pasadena.
As the mother and her teenage son returned home, they were confronted by an intruder who forced them inside.
Inside, a confrontation ensued between the father and the assailant, leading to the father being gunned down.
It's not clear if the boy and his mom witnessed the shooting, but De Jong called it a "very frightening situation for the entire family."

Amidst the chaos, the son managed to call 911 and report that his father had been shot by an intruder.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the case, with Lt. Steven De Jong noting that the crime appears to be “personally motivated.”
"This individual that made entry into the house engaged the male victim," he explained. "So it appears that maybe he was the intended target."
Police recovered at least two firearms from the scene, which are believed to have belonged to the victim. However, it remains unclear whether anything was stolen from the home.
The father received emergency treatment from Arcadia Fire Department personnel at the scene before being transported to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
It remains uncertain whether these belonged to the suspect or the family, but it's possible that the father tried to defend himself and his loved ones.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the sheriff's office is urging anyone with information to come forward.
If you have any information regarding the Arcadia home invasion, please contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at 323-890-5500.
While we hope never to face a situation like this, it's crucial to be prepared. Here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe:
1. Have a safety plan: Discuss with your family what to do in case of a home invasion. Identify safe rooms, escape routes, and how to contact emergency services.
2. Stay calm and call for help: If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, try to remain calm and call 911 as soon as it's safe to do so. Teach even the children how to make emergency calls and provide essential information to dispatchers.
Source: KCAL News / Youtube.
3. Secure your home: Invest in quality locks, security systems, and motion-sensor lights. Consider a home surveillance system that can alert you to unusual activity.
4. Self-defense: While not everyone is comfortable with firearms, consider self-defense classes or other means of protection that you are comfortable with and can handle responsibly.
5. Be vigilant: Always be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
Read next: An unexpected journey: the tragic story behind a man transporting his deceased mother’s body
Have you ever considered what you would do in a home invasion? Do you have a safety plan in place? Share your thoughts and any advice you might have for fellow readers in the comments below!
A 61-year-old father was fatally shot, and it was his quick-thinking 13-year-old son who made the crucial call to 911.
This chilling incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for the unthinkable and how a calm response in a crisis can make all the difference.
It was around 6:26 pm on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday when terror struck an Arcadia home, located just 8 miles east of Pasadena.
As the mother and her teenage son returned home, they were confronted by an intruder who forced them inside.
Inside, a confrontation ensued between the father and the assailant, leading to the father being gunned down.
It's not clear if the boy and his mom witnessed the shooting, but De Jong called it a "very frightening situation for the entire family."

A father was fatally shot during a home invasion in Arcadia, Southern California while his wife and 13-year-old son were at home. Image source: KCAL News / Youtube.
Amidst the chaos, the son managed to call 911 and report that his father had been shot by an intruder.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the case, with Lt. Steven De Jong noting that the crime appears to be “personally motivated.”
"This individual that made entry into the house engaged the male victim," he explained. "So it appears that maybe he was the intended target."
Police recovered at least two firearms from the scene, which are believed to have belonged to the victim. However, it remains unclear whether anything was stolen from the home.
The father received emergency treatment from Arcadia Fire Department personnel at the scene before being transported to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
It remains uncertain whether these belonged to the suspect or the family, but it's possible that the father tried to defend himself and his loved ones.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the sheriff's office is urging anyone with information to come forward.
If you have any information regarding the Arcadia home invasion, please contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at 323-890-5500.
While we hope never to face a situation like this, it's crucial to be prepared. Here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe:
1. Have a safety plan: Discuss with your family what to do in case of a home invasion. Identify safe rooms, escape routes, and how to contact emergency services.
2. Stay calm and call for help: If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, try to remain calm and call 911 as soon as it's safe to do so. Teach even the children how to make emergency calls and provide essential information to dispatchers.
Source: KCAL News / Youtube.
3. Secure your home: Invest in quality locks, security systems, and motion-sensor lights. Consider a home surveillance system that can alert you to unusual activity.
4. Self-defense: While not everyone is comfortable with firearms, consider self-defense classes or other means of protection that you are comfortable with and can handle responsibly.
5. Be vigilant: Always be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
Read next: An unexpected journey: the tragic story behind a man transporting his deceased mother’s body
Key Takeaways
- A father was fatally shot during a home invasion in Arcadia, Southern California while his wife and 13-year-old son were at home.
- The teenager witnessed the intrusion and called 911 to report his father had been shot by the intruder.
- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office has not made any arrests and is searching for the suspect, indicating that the attack may have been personally motivated.
- The sheriff's office mentioned that a couple of weapons were found at the scene, and it remains unclear whether they belonged to the family or the suspect.
Have you ever considered what you would do in a home invasion? Do you have a safety plan in place? Share your thoughts and any advice you might have for fellow readers in the comments below!