Charges: Homeowner shoots, kills suspected burglar in self-defense; another suspect arrested

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — A suspect has been arrested and charged in an early morning shooting outside a Festus-area home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said deputies were dispatched to the 400 block of Sequoia Drive at 1:42 a.m. Thursday for a report of a burglary and assault with shots fired. 

The homeowner told investigators two men arrived at his home shortly before the shooting and knocked on the door. He said the men started turning the door handle, so he grabbed a revolver. After opening the door, the homeowner said one of the men sprayed him with mace. At that point, the homeowner said he fired multiple gunshots at the men in self-defense and then ran into a room to call 911. He thought the men ran off.

Deputies arrived and found a man with a gunshot wound to the head lying on the doorstep of a home. He died at the scene, according to the sheriff's office.