Home invader suspects shot, killed; getaway driver arrested
Homeowner's son in Oklahoma claims self-defense against three would-be robbers armed with brass knuckles and knife, suspected getaway driver turns herself into police
The woman accused of acting as the getaway driver for three would-be burglars shot and killed by a homeowner's son in Oklahoma was arrested, law enforcement officials announced late Monday.
More details also emerged about the moments leading up to the gunshots. Two of the three who broke in through a glass door in the back of the house were armed: one with a knife and one with brass knuckles, according to investigators in Broken Arrow.
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The suspected getaway driver, 21-year-old Elizabeth Marie Rodriguez, turned herself in hours after the shooting, Fox 25 reported. She was booked in the Wagoner County jail on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree burglary.
The would-be burglars had "a short exchange of words" with the homeowner's 23-year-old son before he shot them with a rifle, Wagoner County Deputy Nick Mahoney said. Some reports indicted the rifle was an AR-15.
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Mahoney did not name the intruders, but said they were between 16 and 18 years old. The homeowner and his son were not hurt.
The unnamed shooter has not been charged, and Mahoney said he appeared to be acting in self-defense -- but investigators said more charges could be coming. The homeowner's son voluntarily gave a statement to sheriff's investigators.
The intruders were wearing black clothes, gloves and masks when they forced their way in, waking up the son, Mahoney added. He said there was no reason to believe the son knew the intruders.
Two of the three died in the kitchen and the third made it out to the driveway before he collapsed, according to investigators.
No bond was set for Rodriguez, KOTV reported.
People in the neighborhood had reported more break-ins in recent months. "Within the past six months we've had two or three burglaries out here," neighbor Leon Simmons told Fox 25.
The neighborhood is in an unincorporated part of the county about 20 miles southeast of Tulsa.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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