Intruder posing as home health worker shot to death by homeowner's son

HOUSTON - A suspect posing as a home healthcare worker was shot and killed trying to break into an elderly woman's southeast Houston home, police say.

It was just after 11:30 p.m. Monday in the 12500 block of Cooperstown Drive near the Gulf Freeway when the gunshots rang out. 

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"I heard, ‘bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!’ Five or six gunshots," says neighbor Yazmin.

"It was really, really frightening," says 13-year-old neighbor Nicole.

Investigators say the 65-year-old homeowner was home alone when the man first knocked on the door, pretending to be a home healthcare worker.

She refused to let him in, and called her son who lives nearby.

Police detectives say the man, who was even wearing scrubs, then dropped the ruse and busted in her door. They say at that moment, the woman’s son arrived and opened fire on the man, killing him.  

"We were hearing multiple gunshots," neighbor Nicole said. She added that her mother didn’t know what to do. "All she wanted to do was take care of me and my sisters."

Residents say this is a normally quiet neighborhood full of retirees.

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"We sit out here all day long," another neighbor, Mike says. "I couldn’t believe it. Last night, when I came out, there were cars everywhere. Police cars."

"I just feel really, really bad for her. She deserves so much better." Nicole explains, and the 13-year-old says "I just feel scared now because I don’t know if it’s going to happen again."

When asked if she feels safe in her home, Nicole shakes her head as she whispers, "I don’t feel safe."

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Investigators say at this point it appears the man chose the house at random, but the investigation is still ongoing.

The son has not been charged.