Tempe Woman Says She Shot Man After Catching Him Breaking Into Car

TEMPE, AZ —A Tempe Police Department spokesperson said the department continues to investigate an incident that took place early Tuesday morning in which a woman shot and wounded a man whom she said was breaking into a car in her Tempe apartment complex.

No charges had been filed as of Wednesday as investigators gathered evidence, according to the TPD.

The shooting victim is expected to survive, though he remains in critical condition in a local hospital, according to police. Investigators said they want to interview him before deciding how to proceed in the case.

The alleged shooter, meanwhile, has been cooperative, police said. She was interviewed at the police station, as is standard procedure, and released. The Tempe police spokesperson said the department will send evidence to the Maricopa County State's Attorney's Office, which will decide whether or not to file criminal charges against the woman.

According to police, the incident began at about 4:15 a.m. or 4:20 a.m. Tuesday at a gated apartment complex at 1201 S. McClintock Drive.

The woman, a resident at the complex, was asleep when she and a female roommate heard a car alarm sounding, police said.

The woman grabbed a 9mm handgun and walked out into the apartment complex parking lot where she encountered a male digging through a car, according to police. The woman also told investigators that she witnessed broken glass next to the car.

At that point, police said, a confrontation ensued, and five shots were fired.

At 4:30 a.m., Tempe police received calls from multiple residents of the apartment complex who reported hearing gunshots.

When officers got to the scene, they found the male lying near a bush with a gunshot wound, according to the TPD spokesperson.

Police said the woman was "very forthcoming" and admitted to shooting the male.

However, police said they still are searching for evidence to corroborate the woman's story and to determine what happened during the confrontation.

The police spokesperson said the department continues to search for witnesses or security camera footage that might help in the investigation.