OAKLAND PARK, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff's Office released a 911 call made when a 73-year-old shot at a burglary suspect who had broken into his home Wednesday evening.
Kevin Madigan smashed the living room window at 4431 NE 18th Avenue about 5:10 p.m., investigators said. Inside was homeowner Chuck Rieckman, a retired teacher who said he went into another room to retrieve his gun.
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Rieckman's neighbor heard the commotion and went outside to call 911, according to BSO. Madigan then attacked the woman and tried grabbing her phone.
Rieckman said he came out of his house and fired at Madigan once he was a safe distance away from his neighbor. Gunshots can be heard in the 911 call.
"My next-door neighbor had a break in," Rieckman's neighbor told the dispatcher. "He broke his window and went into his picture window. He was in a silver car."
"Did somebody shoot?" asked the dispatcher. "The other operator say she heard shots fired."
"Yes. My neighbor shot at the man as he was driving away in his silver car," replied Rieckman's neighbor.
Rieckman said it was the first time he had ever shot his gun.
A wounded Madigan, with Rieckman's television, drove away and stopped in the 1700 block of Northeast 48th Court and asked a resident for some gas and was given a gas can, according to BSO. Investigators said he took off again, but crashed about a mile away near Northeast 43rd Street and 11th Avenue.
He was met by deputies and transported to Broward Health Medical Center.
Madigan will face multiple charges, including burglary of an occupied dwelling, grand theft and strong-arm robbery.
"BSO detectives believe this was a justified shooting," said spokesman Mike Jachles.
Rieckman said he did what he felt he had to do.
"I knew I was within my right. He was in my house, and I had no idea what his intentions were, besides taking the TV," he said.