Man shot in Elberta home invasion

ELBERTA, Ala. (WALA) - Police said a Baldwin County homeowner turned the tables on a man accused of breaking into his house.

Police said the intruder, identified as 20-year-old James Hubbart, was shot once in the chest and LifeFlighted to a local hospital.

Police said it happened just after 5 a.m. in Elberta.

The crime scene stretched across the street and four houses over.

“We had a knock on the door this morning at 6 something, and the deputy says there's been a crime here,” said Donna Ledlow, who lives next door.

Neighbors said a home invasion robbery started at the residence off Murphy Lane but ended on the side of the road.

The homeowner said he confronted a man who entered his residence but chased him off.

He said he called 911 and watched as the same suspect waited around the neighborhood checking for unlocked cars.

That’s when the homeowner said the suspect entered his home a second time. The homeowner said he then shot the young man in the chest.

Neighbors said they didn’t hear the shot but couldn’t believe this could happen so close to home.

“Our neighborhood is so quiet and so nice and we've never had anything like this happen before,” Ledlow said.

“It's unusual, really unusual,” said Gene Greenlee who lives nearby.

Police said the suspect fled on foot after the shooting and was found a few houses away.

Witnesses watched as he was taken to the hospital.

“Threw him on that stretcher. He had no response or anything. He didn't look good at all,” said Greenlee who lives across the street from where the alleged intruder was found.

The homeowner said his three children, ages 2, 6, and 7, were sleeping when it all happened.

Neighbors said he had every right to protect his family and property.

They said this should serve as a valuable lesson.

 “If a man broke in, when he goes passed that door, God help him,” said neighbor Randell Johns.

Authorities said Hubbart was LifeFlighted to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition.