Veteran, 79, Speaks Out After Killing Naked Intruder At LA Home

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 79-year-old Vietnam War veteran is recovering in a hospital after he shot and killed a naked intruder in his Studio City home, and his family is raising money to help pay for treatment of the injuries he sustained in the attack.

The incident occurred at around 7 a.m. Friday on the 540 block of North Tujunga Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Security cameras captured the trespasser, described only as a man in his 30s, park his car, strip naked and begin roaming the residential street, KTLA reported.

The man rambled in Spanish and flailed a sign in the air as he tried to get in through a neighbors' gate, ABC 7 reported.

George Karkoc, 79, heard one of his tenants — who lives in the next unit over — screaming, KTLA reported.

“I just thought, ‘I need to get aggressive,’ so I ran into the house and got my gun,” he told the station.

The intruder had run into the tenant's apartment. She managed to escape and the intruder followed after her, ABC 7 reported.

Karkoc unsuccessfully tried to deescalate the situation; the intruder ended up jumping on him, according to the station.

"As he was tackled to the ground, he was able to stop the perpetrator with his gun, preventing further harm to his wife and the others," Karkoc's son wrote on a Gofundme page.

Pinned to the ground, Karkoc opened fire at the man and hit him three times, KTLA reported.

Police believe the intruder, who died at the scene, may have bene under the influence of an unspecified substance or suffered mental health issues, ABC 7 reported.

"George suffered severe injuries, including two fractured ankles and a fractured hip. He is currently in the hospital recovering from surgery," reads the Gofundme page.

His wife, who has Parkinson's, is also suffering from the absence of Karkoc, who is her primary caregiver, according to the fundraiser.

The tenant is "now dealing with PTSD from the attack," according to the Gofundme.

"We are raising funds to help cover the mounting medical expenses for George’s surgeries and ongoing care, as well as to support Lily and the other victims as they recover physically and emotionally. Any support will go directly toward medical bills, therapy, and essential needs during this difficult time. Your help will make a real difference as we work to rebuild and heal after this traumatic event," the page reads.