Ark Valley News - Suspect shot in attempted burglary

Suspect shot in attempted burglary
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: December 04, 2014

A homeowner shot a would-be burglar who was climbing through the kitchen window of a rural Valley Center residence early Nov. 30.

Now, the 30-year-old suspect has been charged with aggravated burglary, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office said.

Corey L. Burgardt was treated for a head wound and then booked into the Sedgwick County Jail Nov. 30 on a $50,000 bond.

Burgardt is accused of trying to burglarize the home at 9411 W. 73rd North, which is west of Valley Center.

Sheriff's Lt. Lin Dehning said the homeowner called 911 about 8:30 a.m. when he heard someone breaking into his house through a window.

"The guy was in the process of coming through the window when the homeowner fired the shot," Dehning.

The homeowner used a pistol to shoot the suspect. The bullet grazed the suspect's head, just above his left eye. Dehning said one shot was fired.

Injured, the suspect fled from the residence, as sheriff's deputies were responding. A deputy found the suspect in the 8800 block of West 73rd North. An ambulance took the man to the hospital.

The shooting was justified, the sheriff's office concluded.

Dehning said detectives investigated the incident, and "there is no indication that the homeowner has any charges pending against him at all."

The homeowner told media later Nov. 30 that he was defending his family.

Besides the homeowner and his wife, three young children were in the residence at the time of the shooting.

The homeowner did not return a phone call from The News.

The suspect, whose address on jail records was in eastern Sedgwick County, was camping in the area west of Valley Center the night before the shooting, Dehning said.

Burgardt made first appearance in Sedgwick County District Court Dec. 2. His next court date is Dec. 16.

Though Valley Center police are not involved in the investigation of this particular case, Chief Mark Hephner told The News that self-defense cases are examined to determine whether the victim "reasonably" believes that the use of force is necessary.

"Every situation is going to be reviewed," Hephner said. "In general, you have a right to protect yourself, your family and your home. ... An obvious one would be someone breaking into your house at night."