Teenage intruder fatally shot by homeowner

Originally ran here as:
"Anderson man fatally shoots intruder
16-year-old who broke into home is killed by resident, police say." 
By Diane Frederick
Indianapolis Star Staff Writer
June 28, 2001  

ANDERSON, INDIANA -- An Anderson man fatally shot a 16-year-old intruder in his Brentwood subdivision home late Wednesday, police said.

Deonte D. Mitchem of the 2000 block of Kerwood Drive was shot in the chest and died at the scene, said Anderson Police spokesman Sgt. Mitch Carroll.

Mitchem's alleged accomplice, Michael K. Watson, 19, of the 2000 block of Euclid Drive, was arrested and charged with burglary, Carroll said.

Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings will review circumstances of the shooting, Carroll said.

The shooting occurred shortly before midnight in the home of Charles Christopher House, 19, 1600 block of Euclid Drive, Carroll said. He said burglars took compact discs from the residence a few days ago.

House told police he received an anonymous tip Wednesday night from a caller who identified Watson as a suspect in the earlier break-in. House told police he was walking to a friend's home when he passed Watson and Mitchem walking toward his residence.

House circled back to his home and heard glass breaking and someone inside the residence, Carroll said. House told investigators he unlocked the front door and saw someone run into a bedroom and slam the door.

Carroll said House tried to open the bedroom door, struggling with the intruder who was holding on to the doorknob on the other side. House told investigators he pulled a handgun from his back pocket and fired twice through the door. He then opened the door, reached in and fired another shot.

Carroll said officers located Watson later and arrested him on a Class B felony burglary charge.

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