Man shot by Tacoma homeowner charged with burglary, assault
TACOMA, Wash. -- An alleged burglar who was shot by a Tacoma homeowner last month has been charged with first degree burglary and second degree assault.
Police say 35-year-old Jonathan Coggins and another man broke into a Tacoma house around 4 p.m. on June 27. The 62-year-old homeowner told police he was upstairs when he heard two male voices coming from the first floor. His home had been burglarized just a day prior, so the man decided to grab a 12 gauge shotgun for protection, according to police.
The alleged burglars began walking upstairs and one of them shouted "Tacoma police." When the men reached the second floor, Coggins threw a hatchet at the homeowner, missing him. The homeowner then fired a single shot, hitting Coggins in the shoulder, according to police.
Both burglars ran out of the house, but Coggins turned up at a local hospital a short time later, according to police. He was treated for wounds to his hand and shoulder before being released to police custody on Tuesday.
"This case is another example of the danger that goes with breaking into someone's home," said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. "The intruder was shot by the homeowner and will now be vigorously prosecuted by our office."
This wasn't Coggins' first run in with the law, either. He has prior convictions for possession of stolen property, vehicular assault and attempting to allude police. He's currently in jail on $200,000 bail.
Police are still searching for the second alleged burglar and a blonde woman who was seen driving their getaway car.
Police say 35-year-old Jonathan Coggins and another man broke into a Tacoma house around 4 p.m. on June 27. The 62-year-old homeowner told police he was upstairs when he heard two male voices coming from the first floor. His home had been burglarized just a day prior, so the man decided to grab a 12 gauge shotgun for protection, according to police.
The alleged burglars began walking upstairs and one of them shouted "Tacoma police." When the men reached the second floor, Coggins threw a hatchet at the homeowner, missing him. The homeowner then fired a single shot, hitting Coggins in the shoulder, according to police.
Both burglars ran out of the house, but Coggins turned up at a local hospital a short time later, according to police. He was treated for wounds to his hand and shoulder before being released to police custody on Tuesday.
"This case is another example of the danger that goes with breaking into someone's home," said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. "The intruder was shot by the homeowner and will now be vigorously prosecuted by our office."
This wasn't Coggins' first run in with the law, either. He has prior convictions for possession of stolen property, vehicular assault and attempting to allude police. He's currently in jail on $200,000 bail.
Police are still searching for the second alleged burglar and a blonde woman who was seen driving their getaway car.
