Story highlights
Long Beach, California, man was burglarized and beaten by a couple, police say
Female suspect claimed she was pregnant, but Greer shot her twice, killing her
DA will determine whether the 80-year-old homeowner will be charged
The suspected male accomplice has been charged with felony murder
Tom Greer says he fought back when he was attacked by intruders at his Southern California home. Then he got his gun and fired at them and they ran.
The 80-year-old homeowner says one of the fleeing burglars, a woman, shouted, “I’m pregnant!” He shot her twice, killing her.
The woman was not pregnant, Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office told CNN on Friday.
The district attorney will decide whether Greer will face criminal charges.
Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Greer walked into his house Tuesday to find suspects Andrea Miller, 26, and Gus Adams, 28, ransacking it. According to McDonnell, Greer said this was the fourth time his house has been burglarized.
Police say the couple beat and threw the elderly man to the ground, causing injuries, which included a broken collarbone, cuts and bruises.
Despite his injuries, Greer managed to grab his gun and fire at the suspects, causing them to flee through the garage and into the alley, police said.
In an interview with KNBC, Greer said that as the suspects ran into the alley, Miller yelled, “‘Don’t shoot me, I’m pregnant! I’m going to have a baby!’ and I shot her anyway.”
Miller died in the alley, the police chief said.
When asked by KNBC how he felt about the incident, Greer responded that he had no regrets.
“I had to do what I had to do.”
Adams, the alleged accomplice, fled the scene, according to Greer and Chief McDonnell. He was later arrested and charged Friday with five felony counts, including murder in Miller’s death, residential robbery , burglary, grand theft firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon. He’s currently jailed on $1.25 million bond.
Adams was scheduled for arraignment on Friday, but his court appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court in Long Beach was postponed until August 11.
Detroit-area man who shot woman on porch arraigned on murder charge
Doctor shoots patient who shot, killed caseworker
CNN’s Chuck Condor and Amanda Watts contributed to this report.