Homeowner’s ex-wife: Police shot wrong guy in burglary call
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The ex-wife of a Pittsburgh homeowner fatally shot by police responding to a burglary call says officers “shot the wrong guy.”
Brenda Thompkins was divorced from the shooting victim, 57-year-old Christopher Thompkins, but the couple reconciled years ago and was sleeping together when they spotted an intruder about 4 a.m. Sunday.
Christopher Thompkins grabbed Brenda’s gun and was headed downstairs when he fired at the intruder, who police arrested on a charge of criminal trespass.
Police say two officers who responded to a security alarm thought the shots were firing at them, and returned fire, killing Thompkins.
The officers are on administrative leave and the police and district attorney are conducting separate reviews to determine whether the police shooting was justified.
The officers’ names haven’t been released.