Intoxicated homeowner opens fire on imaginary burglars, California police say

An intoxicated 63-year-old man opened fire on imaginary burglars in his home, California police say.

Simi Valley officers responded to a report that someone rang a doorbell and hid in the bushes outside a home at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, KTLA reported.

An officer discovered an armed 63-year-old man emerging from the shrubs and detained him, police said in a news release.

An investigation showed the man was drunk when he opened fire on supposed intruders in his home, police said. Officers found evidence of gunfire inside his house and garage.

They also found a bullet hole in the driver’s side door of a neighbor’s parked vehicle and one in a neighbor’s garage, police said.

There were no intruders, police said. The man faces a charge of gross negligence discharge of a firearm.

Simi Valley is about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

This story was originally published September 25, 2023 at 8:36 AM with the headline "Intoxicated homeowner opens fire on imaginary burglars, California police say."