PHOENIX — For one east Phoenix homeowner, the start of their Labor Day weekend did not go as expected. At 3 a.m. Saturday, the homeowner, who doesn't wish to be identified by name, was met at his back door by an intruder.
Phoenix police say the intruder is Juan Mendez. He's been arrested on charges of burglary and assault. This all happened at a home near the intersection of 11th and Fillmore streets.
The homeowner told 12News he was awoken by the sound of his dogs barking, which was unusual in the overnight hours. He grabbed his gun and went to his back door to see what the dogs were barking at.
To his surprise, he came face to face with a man he had never met before. The homeowner says the man was reaching for his door handle when a fight ensued.
“He was random. I never met the guy in my life," the homeowner said.
Phoenix police say the homeowner became a victim of assault when Mendez, according to the homeowner, punched him multiple times. That's when he fired two shots from his gun. One missed and struck a board behind Mendez. The other bullet struck him in the leg.
He says he's grateful that he had his gun nearby before Mendez could get in his house, where his wife, son and parents were all sleeping at the time.
“It was just the right thing to do, to defend myself. I said in that moment, it's just scary, and the only thing you could think of is to protect whatever you have. Just try to keep everybody safe," he said.
Mendez was treated on scene by Phoenix firefighters before he was booked into jail on the burglary and assault charges. The homeowner said he's grateful Arizona has laws that allow him to defend himself and his property when threatened.
As the court process plays out, he's hoping Mendez isn't able to get close to his home again.
"I hope he gets some good jail time, prison time," the homeowner said.
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