A Eureka homeowner reportedly found a man rifling through his unlocked pickup outside his home on White Doe Court and exchanged gunfire with the suspect early this morning (July 9). The homeowner was not struck by a bullet, and it’s unknown if the suspect was, Eureka Police reported.
Officers were called at about 1 a.m. to the area around White Doe Court and Elk Run Drive after gunshots were fired. The homeowner told police his 2003 Ford F-350 was parked in his driveway, and he saw a man going through it and confronted him. The suspect ran away from the homeowner but allegedly stopped and fired one shot from a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun at the homeowner. The bullet skipped off the pavement and did not hit anything, according to the report.
The homeowner returned fire, shooting one time at the suspect. It is not known where the homeowner’s bullet landed, Eureka Police reported.
Nothing was reported stolen from the pickup.
The suspect is described as a Black man with a thin build. He reportedly was wearing a blue ski mask, a dark colored T-shirt and blue and black tennis shoes. Surveillance video from the victim's camera and a neighbor's camera showed the suspect with two other men, and police believe they fled in a silver four-door Nissan, the reported said.
Lt. Michael Werges said numerous residents on White Doe Court and Elk Run Drive contacted police about items stolen from their unlocked vehicles this morning. He said thefts were still be reported as of this afternoon.
“We want to remind people to remove valuables from their vehicles and do not keep firearms inside their vehicles,” Werges said. “We also want to remind everyone to lock their vehicles.”
Anyone who has information about the incident or who had items stolen from their vehicles should contact Eureka Police at 636-938-6600.