Sheriff's deputies do not have much information about two or more suspects who are out on the loose after terrorizing a family during a home invasion. The attack happened at a home on Lillja near Walston.
Five people -- a husband, wife and their three children -- were all home when they were awakened at 3am by the sound of at least two armed intruders breaking in through their front door.
Investigators say the men entered multiple bedrooms where a 21-year-old, 17-year-old and 12-year-old were all sleeping. When they encountered the 40-year-old male homeowner, detectives say one of them struck him with an object.
The homeowner then grabbed his handgun and exchanged fire with the men, who were carrying both long guns and handguns. They shot the homeowner in the abdomen and grazed his leg with another bullet. He returned fire but the men fled. The man's wife was grazed in the chest with a bullet, but she was not seriously injured. The children were unhurt.
Neighbors say there have been many home invasions on this block, and this family has been targeted before. That's why there's a brand new brick fence around the house.
"He just finished the wall to try to protect his family, because he's been hit before, like three times already," said neighbor Kim Carlson. "One time they beat up his daughter. They broke in while she was home alone and beat her up."
Deputies say although they have no descriptions of these individuals, they are considered armed and dangerous. The homeowner underwent surgery at Ben Taub Hospital. His brother says the surgery went well and he is expected to make a full recovery.
