A burglar shot an Imperial Beach woman with her own gun. Detectives say the woman tried to defend herself while her apartment was getting burglarized.
Family members say the victim, 21-year old Stephanie Jean O'Neal, is hospitalized in intensive care with a gunshot wound to her stomach.
The suspect came in through an unlocked door of O'Neal's apartment on the corner of Elder Avenue and Third Street.
Sgt. Miles Ting with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department says, "The female victim was inside her apartment in the back, came out and found a black male suspect. We think was attempting to burglarize."
Relatives say she heard a noise while she was in the shower and got her gun to investigate.
She found the man tampering with her home-entertainment system. The thief saw the woman and attacked her, wrestling the gun away from her and shooting her.
A witness saw the victim right before the shooting. The man did not want to say his name but tells San Diego 6 News, "I saw her coming up the laundry room, and then she went back to her apartment. That's the last thing I seen."
Investigators say it's not usual for burglars to enter while people are at home in this Imperial Beach neighborhood.
The attempted burglary has raised concern for Imperial Beach resident Daniel Rojas who said, "Well it's scary, because it is just my wife and I. Sometimes I am off to work and she is home alone. We always wonder about that."
O'Neal is expected to survive her gunshot wound.
Detectives investigate O'Neal's shooting.
Sheriff's deputies are looking for a black man in his 20's. He was last seen wearing a hoodie. If anyone has any information on this crime you are asked to call Crimestoppers at (888) 580-8477.
O'Neal surprised a burlgar in her apartment
