LA homeowner opens fire after four armed men broke in to burglarize his home, killing one

A homeowner shot and killed a home invasion suspect in Los Angeles early Saturday morning while a grandmother and toddler were in the house. 

Officers were called to a home in Swinton Avenue in the Granada Hills around 5am on Saturday after someone reported a 'hot prowl' - a burglary where the homeowner is present. 

'The officers’ preliminary investigation determined that approximately three to four armed males in their 20s entered the home with the intent to burglarize the location,' according to LAPD officials.

 'A suspect pointed a weapon at the victim and while the suspects were inside the residence, the victim produced a firearm and a shooting occurred.'

One of the suspects - a man - was hit by gunfire and died at the scene. 

The name of the deceased burglar has not been released.  

The other three suspects fled the scene and have not yet been identified, but police said a 'trail of blood' suggested one of them had been injured. 

'It is believed that an additional suspect was injured during the incident due to a trail of blood located during the investigation,' authorities said. 

There was also a grandmother and a toddler in the house at the time. 

Video from the scene shows the unnamed male homeowner being detained by police during the initial investigation, but it is not known if he has been charged. 

Police found a vehicle linked to the suspects. 

Neighbors were alarmed by the incident but told KTLA that they aren't surprised. 

Pat Walsh said: 'We’ve been having burglaries every day in this neighborhood.

'So I’m not surprised at all. It’s been a real problem. Residents here are fed up.' 

Other neighbors were glad the victims were not harmed or killed.

'The suspects messed with the wrong homeowner,' one neighbor said.

'So hopefully this will stop them. It makes me feel good that people are able to protect their homes and stop these guys.'

It follows a spate of 'dinnertime burglaries' in the area with burglars breaking into homes when they think residents are out for dinner.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.