The Armed Citizen

Man shoots at electricutility worker

Police: He thought worker was a burglar

Published : Tuesday, 18 Aug 2009, 3:31 PM

DALLAS (AP) - Police said an elderly Dallas homeowner opened fire on an electric utility employee replacing meters after suspecting the worker was trying to break into his home.

According to a Dallas Police Department statement, the Oncor utility worker was hit by flying splinters Tuesday morning when one of the shotgun rounds hit a wooden post.

Paramedics examined the worker, but he was not taken to a hospital.

Police said the worker knocked on the 79-year-old man's door but got no answer. He went to the rear of the house and used a ladder to climb a fence to get access to the meter.

Police said the homeowner, thinking the worker was breaking in, fired several shotgun blasts through the back door.

They are questioning him and likely will refer the case to a Dallas County grand jury .