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| Tuesday, Nov 6 2007 9:41 AM
Last Updated: Tuesday, Nov 6 2007 2:34 PM
A man was shot to death by the owner of a Rosedale home where Kern County sheriff’s deputies said he and another man were trying to break in and burn the house down.
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Ulises Aaron Espino, 19, was shot at 9:52 p.m. Monday in the 15000 block of Westdale Drive near Brimhall and Renfro roads, a Sheriff’s Department news release said. Espino and Alberto Torres, 18, were entering the house through a front window when homeowner Steven Stewart opened fire.
Stewart was alone in the residence when he heard the men breaking in, armed himself with a shotgun and fired several rounds, the news release said. Espino and Torres drove away, stopped at Calloway Drive and Rosedale Highway and called for medical assistance.
Espino was taken to Kern Medical Center and died at 1:42 a.m. Tuesday from his injuries, the news release said. Torres was detained by deputies.
Espino was in possession of a flammable liquid while breaking into the home and it appears he and Espino intended to set fire to the residence, according to the news release.
Torres was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, attempted arson, participation in a criminal street gang and conspiracy.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Ed Komin said Stewart called deputies about a month ago and reported someone had shot at his house. Deputies discovered that the house had been shot at, but no suspects were found.
It’s unclear whether the latest incident is connected to that shooting, Komin said.
No one answered the door at Stewart’s residence Tuesday afternoon.
Although it’s early in the investigation, it appears Stewart was justified in shooting at Espino and Torres, Komin said.
“You have the right to protect yourself and use deadly measures to do so,” he said. “If you can show you’re in fear for your life, it’s reasonable to use deadly force.”