A Friday night disturbance in a DeSoto neighborhood escalated to a life-threatening incident when a woman, fearing for her safety, shot an intruder attempting to force his way into her home.
Around 7:54 p.m. on Nov. 8, police responded to a 911 call from a resident in the 400 block of Raintree Circle who reported that an unknown man was in her backyard armed with a pistol.
The woman told police dispatchers that the man was attempting to break into her home through a rear garage door, according to police.
Dispatchers could hear screaming and shouting over the call, police said.
Simultaneously, other residents reported hearing gunshots in the area.
When Police arrived at the scene, they located the victim outside her home.
She informed officers that she believed she had shot the intruder, who was still at the back of her house.
Officers searched the premises and found the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Octavio Flores Mondragon, lying injured in the garage with a pistol next to him.
He had sustained two gunshot wounds, to the chest and face.
Officers provided first aid until emergency responders arrived and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
According to the victim, she first noticed a dark truck following her into her neighborhood and pulling into her rear driveway as she parked.
Alarmed by the unfamiliar vehicle, she quickly ran inside her home and called 911.
When the suspect began attempting to break into her residence, she armed herself and fired several shots to protect herself, according to police.
Flores Mondragon is now facing a first-degree felony charge of Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Another Felony.
Police have yet to identify a motive for the incident, and the investigation is ongoing.
No further information is available at this time.