Phoenix, Arizona

From ABC15 of January 29, 2010

Police ID robbery suspect shot, killed by Phoenix homeowner

Police have identified a man who died after he was shot while trying to rob a Phoenix homeowner Wednesday afternoon.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Tommy Thompson said 26-year-old Rudolph Gomes was seen breaking into a coin operated car wash machine near Tatum Boulevard and Union Hills Drive around 12:30 p.m.

A witness apparently followed Gomes and called police. At one point, Gomes reportedly struck a stop sign, damaging his vehicle.

Thompson said he parked his Jeep Cherokee in the parking lot of Foothills Elementary School near Grovers Avenue and 44th Street and ran into the neighborhood, according to witnesses.

Officers arrived on the scene and as they set up a perimeter and began searching the neighborhood they heard a ‘pop.’

Police then received a call that a homeowner had shot an armed intruder, Thompson said.

According to Thompson, the 59-year-old homeowner told police Gomes tried to rob him at gunpoint and at some point he was able to get a shotgun and shoot the intruder.

The injured Gomes was taken to a local hospital where he died of his injuries, Thompson said.

There is no word yet if the homeowner will be charged in the shooting. He was not injured, according to police.

The shooting and robberies are under investigation.

Thanks to Justin for the tip!