Pistol-Wielding Homeowner Fires Warning Shot at Suspected Burglar

An Archer Way homeowner took matters into his own hands after seeing someone break into a neighboring home on the morning of Nov. 30.

Gwinnett County Police arrived on scene just in time to see the homeowner fire his weapon towards a fleeing burglary suspect. While the officer was attempting to determine whether the homeowner was a threat, the burglary suspect ran into a nearby wooded area. The homeowner insisted that he had not fired at the suspect, but had only shot a round into the ground to “scare” the alleged burglar. When questioned further, the homeowner said the suspect had lunged at him twice with a knife.

Police established a perimeter and called for helicopter and K-9 crews to help search for the suspect. The K-9 followed a track that led to a home at 1721 Harbins Road.

At the home, police made contact with Amanda Clemens Lusk. According to GCPD public information officer Cpl. Ed Ritter, police initially believed Lusk’s husband, Justin Doyle Lusk, was the burglary suspect. Lusk said she did not know where her husband was and gave police permission to search the home. Officers found Justin Lusk hiding in the attic. Justin, who had an outstanding warrant, was taken into custody. Amanda Lusk was also arrested and charged with obstruction after officers determined she knew her husband was in the house and was attempting to help him evade capture.

While searching the premises, police found the actual burglary suspect, Marcus Green, 30, of 1602 Summit Ridge Road in Auburn, hiding in the crawl space under the house. Green was staying with the Lusks at the time of his capture, Ritter explained.

Green was charged with burglary, second-degree criminal damage to property and two counts of theft by taking.