Watch CBS News

Mercer Co. Homeowner Shoots Would-Be Burglar

SHARON (KDKA) - Pete Delli Bovi has lived in his Sharon home for 33 years.

On Monday, he was resting when he heard a noise he said he'll never forget.

"I was watching TV. I closed my eyes a little bit and I heard this big boom. Like, it was so loud. That's when this guy kicked my door in the back," Delli Bovi said.

Someone tried to break in through the back door.

Just last year, someone else broke into his garage.

Delli bovi said he got his gun permit and Monday afternoon used a revolver that he said saved his life.

According to police, he shot the intruder --18-year-old Markees Hughes - in the groin.

Hughes will face burglary and criminal trespassing charges, but because he was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Youngstown, he needed to be extradited back to Pennsylvania.

Delli Bovi is just happy no one else was home.

"My grandson, he watches TV in the kitchen. He would hear that, you know? Nobody expects that in the daylight. Nobody," Delli Bovi said.

Living alone, Delli Bovi said he put extra locks on his doors as a precaution, which paid off on Monday.

"If you're afraid of guns, at least protect yourself to secure the door. An extra lock or whatever. Anything so you know they cannot come and just kick," Delli Bovi said.

Police said since Delli Bovi acted out of self-defense, he will not be charged.

RELATED LINKS

More Local News
More Mercer County News
More Reports From Ralph Iannotti

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.