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Off-Duty Officer Fatally Shoots Intruder At Apple Valley Home

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — An Apple Valley resident and off-duty police officer shot and killed an intruder in his home, authorities said Wednesday.

The shooting was reported shortly after 5:30 a.m. along the 20000 block of Ochoa Road, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's spokesperson.

The homeowner, who officials say is a Fontana Police officer, told investigators he woke up and found an armed man in his home attempting to steal his property, the Sheriff's spokesperson said.

The victim attempted to subdue the suspect, and after a brief struggle he had the suspect at gunpoint, according to investigators.

After refusing to comply with repeated commands to shows his hands and lay on the ground, officials say the suspect reached into his waistband. That's when the victim shot the suspect in the upper torso.

He was transported to St. Mary/St. Joseph Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The unidentified Fontana Police officer was not injured.

CBS2/KCAL9's Crystal Cruz reported the officer has worked for Fontana Police for eight years.

Neighbor Sandy Ayers said she believes the intruder didn't know the home belonged to a law enforcement officer.

"Pretty stupid," she said. "Evidently they didn't know...otherwise I don't think they would've chosen that house."

The officer will be placed on administrative leave, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's spokesperson.

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