A Greensboro man was cited by police after he fired three shots at two males who were attempting to break into his home Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Steve Beale told officers he was at his home on 600 Muenster Ave. just before 3 p.m. when two young males approaches his front door armed with a crowbar. Beale said the suspects looked into the home and fled when he confronted them.

According to police, Beale went outside the home and fired three shots at the would-be burglars.

One of the suspects, a juvenile, was later caught on Randleman Rd. and faces charges of attempted breaking and entering and possession of burglary tools. Police are still trying to locate the other suspect.

According to Beale, who lives with his parents, the family installed surveillance cameras and bought guns as a result of other burglaries and vandalism in their neighborhood.

Home video from Wednesday shows two juveniles trying to look through the tinted storm door. They couldn't see Beale on the other side with a gun in his hand.

"I could have shot him right when he had his face against that window right there," said Beale. "I could have blowed his head off."

Instead, Beale said he made some noise and the two suspects began walking away. The video then shows Beale walking out and shooting.

"I could have blowed their head off, but I just wanted to shoot in the air and get them away from here," he said.

Police confiscated Beale's gun and cited him for firing the gun within the city limits. State gun laws say you can use deadly force if your life is in immediate danger, but not solely to protect your property.

Beale believes you should be able to do something if someone tries to break into your home.



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