DALLAS, TEXAS: An attempted home invasion took a dramatic turn when a suspect, identified as Aaron Contreras, posed as a maintenance worker and engaged in a shootout with the apartment resident.
The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, August 19, around 6 pm in an Oak Cliff apartment complex, Dallas, and was captured by a doorbell camera.
Doorbell camera captures dramatic 'Wild West-style' shootout
Contreras, who is 30 years old, was one of two men who had disguised themselves as maintenance workers at the apartment complex. Under the guise of changing the air filter, they approached the resident, Ethan Rodriguez.
However, when Rodriguez instructed them to leave, a heated exchange transpired. In a shocking turn, gunfire erupted as the assailants attempted to forcefully enter the apartment, as captured in a video from the doorbell camera.
What are the charges against Aaron Contreras?
The viral video quickly caught the attention of social media users, eventually leading to the identification and subsequent arrest of Contreras.
He now faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault, deadly conduct, and attempted burglary of a habitation. However, the second individual involved in the incident has yet to be located.
The footage showcases a chaotic scene reminiscent of a 'Wild West' shootout.
Contreras at first knocks on Rodriguez's apartment door, initially claiming to be a maintenance worker. When his attempt to enter the apartment is rebuffed, he returns armed with a handgun, and a masked accomplice. Together, the two would-be burglars attempt to force their way in by breaking the door.
The situation escalates when Rodriguez, armed with his own firearm, responds to the attack from within the apartment.
Dallas PD later stated that Rodriguez had fired 13 rounds and the suspects fired back twice, piercing the door and walls of the hallway.
Remarkably, both assailants managed to flee the scene unharmed, and Rodriguez emerged from the incident without any injuries as well.
Dallas police swiftly responded to the scene, evaluating the damage and conducting a thorough search. Rodriguez, deemed to have acted in defense of his home, was not arrested.
"I check the camera to see who’s all at the door and I saw him kicking the door with a firearm and fearing for my and my brother’s life. I just let the gun go. I didn’t know what to do," said Rodriguez, as per Fox 4.
In contrast, Contreras was apprehended and later booked into county jail and is being held on a $150,000 bond.
