A home invasion gone wrong has resulted in the death of a female suspect who claimed to be pregnant, and possible charges to be filed against a homeowner who was attacked by the suspects before opening fire.

On Tuesday, in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood of Long Beach, 80-year-old Tom Free arrived home that night and entered his residence to be immediately assaulted by two suspects, one mail and one female, who were burglarizing his home, authorities said.  Greer alleges that the suspects threw him to the floor, breaking his collarbone, and then the female suspect, 28-year-old Andrea Miller, continued to beat him while the male suspect went for his safe.

Greer asserts that Miller joined the male suspect, 26-year-old Gus Adams, at the safe, laving Freer unrestrained as they burglarized the home. Greer then went to another room to retrieve his gun. According to Greer, he confronted the two suspects and fired upon them inside the home, and when they began to flee the house, he followed them outside and shot them again. Greer has stated to news outlets that he shot Miller twice as she fled, after she told him she was pregnant and asked him not to shoot. Coroner’s findings later showed that Miller was not, in fact, pregnant.

Though Adams managed to flee from the scene, he was later apprehended by police and is being charged with residential burglary and murder. According to the felony murder rule, if a person is involved in the commission of a felony and a party is killed, then they are a party to that murder.

Charges have yet to be filed against Greer, the homeowner. However, the Long Beach Police Department has said that it is ultimately up to the Los Angeles District Attorney to decide whether or not to file charges against Greer. Under California law, homeowners can defend themselves if they are in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. Prosecutors will have to determine whether chasing after the suspect and firing on them outside of the home goes beyond self-defense. 

A criminal conviction is costly. You may serve time in prison, you may have your license revoked, your career and family life will be disrupted, and your record will be stained by such convictions. Our goal at Brower and Associates is to provide an aggressive and comprehensive defense to those accused of a crime throughout Orange County. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, contact Brower and Associates today.