Midwest City resident fatally shoots burglar

Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes said Thursday's shooting marks the third time in 15 months someone was killed by a resident while trying to break into a home in Midwest City.

“Maybe next time, these violent offenders will think twice about committing first-degree burglaries in Midwest City,” Clabes said.

The resident at a duplex in the 300 block of N Kendra Drive said he heard his dog growl then heard two hard kicks on his front door about 7:45 a.m.

He grabbed a gun from his bedroom and confronted a man who broke in. The intruder was also armed with a handgun, Clabes said.

The resident opened fire and hit the intruder once in the chest. The intruder, Reginald Keith Joseph Jr., 27, was taken to Midwest Regional Medical Center, where he died, Clabes said.

The name of the resident who shot the intruder has not been released. Clabes said the man is afraid of retribution from those who might have known Joseph.

Clabes said it appears the shooting was justifiable.

“Based on the facts that we know, the suspect did actually kick the front door in as he entered the residence,” Clabes said. “The suspect was also armed with a handgun.”