THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 18, 1994 TAG: 9407180066
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
A burglar was shot and killed early Sunday after he threatened an armed resident with a chair, police said.
The incident occurred about 12:38 a.m. in the 3700 block of Santos St. in a residential area just north of Norfolk Industrial Park.
Police identified the burglar as Leroy M. Lemon, 24, of the 2500 block of Wyoming Ave. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police spokesman Larry Hill said the resident, Marvin Knight, 30, returned home with his family about midnight. They had left lights on in the house when they left, but on their return, the residence was dark.
Knight went inside to check things out and quickly realized the home had been burglarized. He retrieved a handgun he kept in the house and went back outside.
Knight drove his family to a nearby relative's house and then came back to his home to check more closely on what had been taken, Hill said.
``While in the home, he was confronted by Lemon, who was threatening him with a chair,'' Hill said. Knight opened fire.
Police believe Lemon had left the house after the initial burglary but had later returned, possibly seeking more loot.
``We think Lemon may have committed the initial burglary with another person,'' Hill said. Items taken included a television, a VCR and a Nintendo game set. None of the stolen property has been recovered.
Knight was not charged in connection with the shooting because indications are he acted in self defense. The case will be sent to the Commonwealth's Attorney Office for review, however.
Police said they are continuing their investigation. In particular, they are seeking information about a large yellow car and its occupants, who may have been involved with the burglary.
Anyone with information is asked to call Norfolk Crime Line at 441-5100. ILLUSTRATION: JOHN C. BELL
The body of a man who apparently broke into a home and was shot and
killed early Sunday morning is wheeled out of the residence at
Palmetto and Santos avenues. The owner, Marvin Knight, returned home
with his family to a home that had been burglarized, police said. He
had taken his family to a relative's house and then returned on his
own when he confronted the burglar.
KEYWORDS: BURGLARY SHOOTING FATALITY SELF DEFENSE by CNB