14-Year-Old Alleged Burglar Shot by Homeowner After Entering Los Angeles Home

I’ll be honest—this story hit harder than most headlines.

A 14-year-old kid, just a teenager, was shot early one morning in Encino after allegedly breaking into someone’s home. It wasn’t late at night. It was 5:10 a.m.—the kind of time most of us are still half-asleep, maybe getting ready for work or school.

According to the LAPD, the homeowner woke up to the sound of people trying to break in. This wasn’t just a knock at the door or someone checking a lock. It was aggressive enough that he moved his family into a safe room. Think about that: a dad, rushing his wife and kids into a secure room before grabbing a gun. That says a lot about how real the threat felt in that moment.

He then confronted the intruders, one of whom—this 14-year-old—was reportedly holding what looked like a Samurai sword. The homeowner fired a warning shot first. But when the teen kept moving forward, he fired again, hitting the boy.

The teen and the others ran. They fled in a black Volkswagen sedan, which LAPD later found abandoned, blood on the seat. The same teen later turned up at a hospital with a gunshot wound. At first, his mom told police he was the victim of a random drive-by shooting. But the facts didn’t line up.

Turns out, the car was stolen. Police traced it back to the Encino scene, connecting the dots. That’s when the narrative started shifting—from an innocent teen hurt in random violence to a juvenile suspect in a home invasion.

Was It Really a Samurai Sword? The Weapon Confusion

You ever hear something so wild you have to pause and ask—wait, was that real?

That’s how I felt when the first reports came in: the homeowner said the teen was carrying a Samurai sword. And not just holding it—he was apparently walking toward the man, even after a warning shot had already been fired.

But here’s the twist—it wasn’t a sword.

Police later clarified that the weapon was actually a crowbar. In the heat of that moment, in a dimly lit house, it’s easy to see how someone might mistake a long metal object for something much worse. Especially when adrenaline is running high and your family is hiding in the next room.

Now, I’m not here to argue what the homeowner should or shouldn’t have done. But it does show you how perception, especially under pressure, can completely change how someone reacts.

And it raises a deeper question—if you were in that situation, would you wait to be sure?

Can You Legally Shoot a Burglar in California?

Let’s clear something up—California isn’t Texas. The laws here around self-defense are strict, but they do allow for certain protections inside your home.

It’s called the Castle Doctrine. Basically, if someone unlawfully enters your home, the law presumes you’re in danger—and that you have the right to use deadly force if you reasonably believe you’re protecting yourself or your family.

But that word—reasonable—matters. You can’t just shoot someone because they stepped on your porch. There has to be a real threat, like forced entry or threatening behavior.

In this Encino case, the homeowner says the teen was coming toward him with a weapon-looking object, even after a warning shot. Under California law, that could count as a legitimate threat.

Still, LAPD hasn’t said whether any charges will be filed. The DA will likely review the case to see if the shooting fits within legal bounds. And if it doesn’t, things could turn fast.

The takeaway? If you’re a homeowner, know your rights—but also know your limits.

Similar group break-ins have been reported elsewhere too—like when four masked intruders raided a Youngstown apartment, stealing cash and IDs. This pattern of coordinated attacks isn’t just local.

Who Was the Teen, and What Actually Happened After the Shooting?

Here’s where things take an even stranger turn.

We don’t know the teen’s name because he’s a minor, but according to NBC Los Angeles, after being shot, he and a group of others ran off in a black Volkswagen sedan. The car? Stolen.

Police later found it abandoned with blood inside, not far from the scene. That’s what led them to hospitals nearby—and that’s where they found him, shot in the chest.

At first, his mother told doctors and police it was a random drive-by shooting. But that story didn’t hold up under investigation. Once detectives matched the blood trail and the stolen car to the Encino break-in, the connection became clear.

This wasn’t a random act of violence—it was part of a coordinated early morning burglary.

Now, we don’t know if the teen had a record or if this was his first time doing something like this. But one thing’s obvious: he didn’t act alone. There were others with him. And the fact that a 14-year-old was part of it raises some serious questions about what’s going on with youth crime in LA right now.

And it’s not just average families being hit—just weeks ago, Teddi Mellencamp’s Encino home was targeted in an attempted burglary while her family was inside. The fear is real, even among celebrities.

Encino’s Breaking Point — This Isn’t the First Time

If you live in LA, especially the Valley, you’ve probably felt it lately. That under-the-skin unease that something isn’t right.

Encino residents had already been on edge—just days before, two well-known neighbors, Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca, were found murdered in what police now say was another home burglary. That happened less than a mile from this latest shooting.

People are locking their doors in daylight, installing floodlights, motion cameras, even panic rooms.

And while this teen survived, the neighborhood is left shaken again. Another violent home invasion. Another case where someone felt forced to pull the trigger.

It’s not just about crime statistics anymore. It’s about how safe you feel walking down your own street, or lying in bed at 5 a.m.

And I don’t blame anyone for being rattled. I’d be, too.

In fact, several neighborhood WhatsApp groups have been lighting up with late-night messages about strange cars, doorbell camera footage, and talk of forming watch groups. That tells you everything about how seriously people are taking safety right now.

The LAPD Says Burglary Is Down — So Why Are People So Scared?

This is where things get complicated.

The LAPD has said in recent press releases that burglaries in the West Valley area are actually down in 2025 compared to the past couple of years. But when you look at what people are experiencing on the ground, it sure doesn’t feel that way.

And honestly, stats don’t comfort you when you just watched two neighbors get murdered or a teen get shot half a block away.

There’s this growing gap between official numbers and real fear. And when people feel like their home isn’t safe, numbers don’t matter much. What matters is the feeling that something’s out of control—and no one’s fixing it.

The Encino community is already calling for better police presence, more patrols, and quicker response times. After all, what good are stats if people don’t feel protected?

Have you or someone you know experienced a break-in or felt unsafe lately—even if crime stats say otherwise? Share your thoughts in the comments. Stories like yours are part of the bigger picture.

What Happens Next — For the Teen, and for the Homeowner

Now that the dust has settled a bit, this is where the legal machine kicks in.

Police say the 14-year-old could face multiple charges, including burglary and obstructing justice. Whether or not he’s tried as a juvenile—or something more serious—depends on how the DA evaluates the case.

There’s also the matter of his mother filing a false police report, claiming it was a drive-by. That alone could carry legal consequences.

As for the homeowner, LAPD hasn’t arrested or charged him. Not yet, anyway. But the District Attorney’s office is reviewing the shooting to see if it meets the legal definition of justifiable self-defense.

And this is where it gets tricky.

If they decide he used “excessive force” or that the threat wasn’t clear enough, there could be consequences. It’s rare—but it’s not impossible. Especially in California, where use-of-force laws are tighter than most states.

So even though the homeowner isn’t in cuffs today, this story isn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

Arrests like these aren’t isolated—just recently, a Queens man was charged in a $50,000 Westport home burglary, showing how far-reaching and organized some of these operations can be.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Home — Without Ending Up in Court?

Let’s be real—no one wants to be in a position where they have to pick between getting hurt and hurting someone else.

But what if I told you there’s a middle ground? A smarter, safer way to handle home threats without resorting to a gun unless it’s absolutely necessary?

Here’s what I always suggest to families I talk to:

• Create a “safe zone” in your home: a room with a lock, flashlight, phone charger, and maybe pepper spray.
• Invest in layered security: outdoor motion lights, video doorbells, glass break sensors, and a monitored alarm system. Even the basics help.
• Talk to your family: everyone should know what to do if they hear a noise at night. Who calls 911? Who grabs the kids?
• Do not chase intruders. That’s when things go sideways fast. Let police do their job.
• Know the law. Understand what qualifies as legal self-defense in California. If you’re armed, you need to know when you’re protected—and when you’re not.

Because the truth is, protecting your home shouldn’t come at the cost of your freedom, your mental health, or someone’s life.

Want more tips on home safety, real-life break-ins, and burglary prevention? Visit our full Home Security section for the latest insights and expert breakdowns.

Disclaimer: The details in this article are based on publicly available reports at the time of writing. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This content is intended for informational purposes only, not legal advice.