A Georgia couple was told to lock themselves inside their bedroom after police said an armed intruder entered their home in the early morning hours.
The incident happened around 3 a.m. on June 12 in Powder Springs. According to Atlanta News First, Cobb County police said 20-year-old Steven Hilton allegedly broke into an elderly couple’s home while armed with a gun.
Police said Hilton shined a flashlight into the couple’s bedroom before the gun discharged inside the house. The couple called 911 around 3:30 a.m., bringing Powder Springs police and the Cobb County SWAT team to the neighborhood.
Officers told the husband and wife to stay locked in their bedroom until police confirmed the intruder had left. No one was injured, but the couple told the station they did not know where the gunshot had gone.
The Couple Waited Behind A Locked Bedroom Door
Atlanta News First reported that police instructed the couple to remain behind the locked bedroom door while officers cleared the home.
The homeowner said they did not have their dog with them and kept waiting for someone to get them out. The couple was eventually escorted safely from the house.
The Suspect Was Later Arrested In Ohio
Police said Hilton fled to Lima, Ohio, where he was arrested on June 17.
He faces extradition to Cobb County on charges of home invasion and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The couple called while the situation was still active, and officers were able to give instructions before entering the home.
If someone is already inside the house and escape is not safe, a locked bedroom, a charged phone, and a clear description for dispatchers can help officers understand where residents are sheltering, who is inside, whether a weapon was seen, and what sounds or movement they can hear.