Suspect Shot in Apparent Bid to Break Into Duplex

A man suspected of attempting to break into a duplex was listed in stable condition Saturday after being shot twice by an occupant, police said.

Orange police received a call from a woman in the 200 block of North Fir St. at 4:18 a.m., Sgt. Art Romo said. She said her boyfriend, who lives in the duplex, shot a man who had removed a kitchen window screen. Her friend fired two shots from a .25-caliber handgun through the window, hitting the suspect as he stood outside by the window, Romo said. The suspect fled.

Police did not release the names of the occupants.

About 16 minutes later, police received word from UCI Medical Center in Orange that the hospital had admitted a man with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and right arm. After an investigation, police arrested the patient, LaMar McClinton, 43, of Whittier, on suspicion of attempted burglary.

A neighbor of the couple on Fir Street said the woman had reported a rape about a month ago. “Usually what we have here is domestic violence or parties that get out of hand,” said Craig Haslitt. Because the neighborhood has deteriorated, he said, most residents have handguns.

The suspect and the occupants of the duplex were not acquainted, Romo said.