Knife-wielding intruder shot during break-in: 'She had a right to defend herself'
Decatur resident shoots armed intruder
A Decatur apartment resident shot a knife-wielding intruder who forced his way into a first-floor unit, and DeKalb Police say suspect Ennis Cantrell faces home invasion and terroristic threats charges.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A DeKalb County resident shot a man who forced his way into her apartment armed with a knife Wednesday night, according to police.
DeKalb apartment intruder shot
What we know:
Officers responded to a reported shooting around 11:19 p.m. Wednesday at The Villa of Friendly Heights Apartments in the 1300 block of Friendly Heights Boulevard, off of Snapfinger Woods Drive, according to the DeKalb County Police Department.
When they arrived, police found a man, later identified as 48-year-old Ennis Vantrell, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency responders took Vantrell to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. DeKalb County police said in a 4:50 p.m. update that he was still being treated for his injuries at the time.
Authorities said after a preliminary investigation, Vantrell was armed with a knife and attempted to force his way into residential apartments.
Police said he successfully broke into one unit, where a male resident shot him. DeKalb County authorities added that he will not face charges.
Vantrell faces charges of home invasion, three counts of criminal damage and terroristic threats.
The investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing.
Knife-wielding man shot during DeKalb break-in
A man was hospitalized late Wednesday night after being shot while attempting to break into a DeKalb County apartment armed with a knife, according to police.
What they're saying:
Resident Sophia Washington said she arrived home to dozens of police officers outside her building. She said she believes the resident had every right to defend herself from the intruder. DeKalb Police have not yet identified the gender of the shooter.
Washington and other neighbors noted that the complex's main security gate stays open constantly and called on management to fix it to prevent future break-ins.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not publicly identified the male resident who shot the intruder.
Police have not revealed whether Vantrell knew the resident or if the break-in attempt was random.
Apartment management has not commented on whether the complex's main security gate will be repaired.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Aungelique Proctor, who interviewed apartment complex residents on scene, as well as statements provided by the DeKalb County Police Department. This story has been updated since it was originally reported.