An 80-year-old Englewood man charged with shooting an alleged attempted burglar was released Tuesday on $10,000 bond.
Homer Wright, of the 6400 block of South Morgan Street, was arrested Monday after he allegedly shot Anthony Robinson, 19, of the 6600 block of South Wood Street, in the leg.
"You see, when you're breaking into peoples' places and you're not supposed to be there, you're supposed to do what you have to do, and that's what I did," Wright said outside his home after being released from jail. "I think it's wrong and it's unjust that I can't protect me and my whatever, and that's wrong."
Police said Robinson broke into Wright's home-business about 6:30 a.m. on the 6400 block of South Morgan Street to steal liquor. Wright, who owns a business next door, then allegedly shot Robinson.
Police later discovered that Wright is a former felon and is not allowed to possess a gun. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, and Robinson was charged with burglary.
Robinson was ordered held on $150,000 bond.
Before Wright was released, some Englewood community members said they were outraged over his arrest.
"We're calling for the State's Attorney to drop the charges against Homer," said Darryl Smith, a member of the Englewood Political Taskforce, at a morning press conference. "He did what any citizen would have done"
"They arrest the person who did the right thing and don't arrest the person who did the wrong thing," said Hal Baskin, a member of the PEACE organization.
"As a senior citizen we need to do whatever we need to do to protect ourselves,” said Englewood block club president Anita Dominique.
Wright stands by his actions and said he hopes other people feel "justified doing what I did."
