An Ontario man involved in a violent encounter with an intruder in his own apartment has been charged with assaulting the wanted man.
Around 3:30 a.m. Monday, the 44-year-old homeowner was awoken to find an intruder inside his Kent Street apartment in Lindsay, Ont., according to
Police said the two had an “altercation,” during which the 41-year-old intruder suffered “serious life-threatening injuries.”
The Lindsay man, already wanted by police concerning unrelated events, was taken to Ross Memorial Hospital and later airlifted to a hospital in Toronto.
Once released from the hospital, he will face charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; break, enter and theft; mischief under $5,000; and failing to comply with a probation order.
He’ll also be held in custody, pending a bail hearing.
The homeowner, meanwhile, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. He was released and is due back in court at a later date.
This is not the first time a homeowner has been charged while allegedly defending themselves or their property.
In June, a 35-year-old Ontario man who fired a gun at five individuals attempting to steal his White Lamborghini was charged with discharging a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, careless storage of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.
None of the apprehended suspects — three adults and one youth — were injured.
“York Regional Police understands the fear and frustration an incident like this may cause in a neighbourhood. However, we want to make clear that discharging a firearm in a residential area is extremely dangerous,”
York Regional Police posted on X.
“You risk hurting innocent people, including neighbours, your own family, or responding officers. Taking justice into your own hands is not the answer.”
later reported that the man had already called the police before firing.
Two years prior in Milton, 22-year-old Ali Mann was charged with second-degree murder after he fired on one of four people who entered his home, killing one of them.
Police said at least one of the assailants had a gun, and the three who weren’t hit escaped.
“The charges laid in relation to the shooting … are serious and are reflective of the evidence collected by homicide and forensic investigators,” the Halton Police Service said in
at the time.
Lawyer Jag Virk issued a statement defending his client, noting Mian is a registered gun owner who was only trying to protect his single mother from an armed man.
“His intention was not to kill the intruder, he only shot at him once,” Virk wrote.
The charges were withdrawn in July, per
.
Homeowners don’t always face charges.
In January 2023, a Halifax man escaped charges after one of three people who illegally entered his residence, “at least one of whom has a firearm,” according to
, died following an altercation.
In early December that year, another Halifax man avoided criminal charges after he stabbed one of two people who had broken into his home. The stabbing victim, 26-year-old Anthony Robert Herritt, later died of his injuries.
“There has been a fairly substantial investigation done,” Halifax Regional Police Const. John McLeod told National Post in an interview at the time, noting the Crown was “not comfortable moving ahead with charges” against the resident.
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