Resident fatally shoots one home invasion suspect, injures a second, while police search for third (VIDEO)

By the time police arrived, the first suspect, who was shot multiple times, was already deceased. (Photo credit: SF Gate)

One suspect is dead and another is in the hospital recovering from multiple gunshot wounds, while police attempt to locate a third after a Hayward, California, resident opened fire during an attempted home invasion/robbery Sunday evening.

The 23-year-old resident told police that the three armed suspects, a male and two females who he was acquainted with, forced their way into the home and demanded cash, the SF Gate reported.

“A confrontation broke out, and the victim, who also had a gun, was able to fire rounds that struck the man and one of the women,” said Sgt. Eric Melendez of the Hayward Police Department.

Officers arrived at the scene about 5:30 p.m. and found the male suspect lying in the home, deceased as the result of multiple gunshot wounds. They also recovered a gun believed to have been used by one of the suspects.

The resident told authorities that the one who was fatally shot was a “long time” acquaintance, but Melendez stated that their relationship was “not in a criminal capacity.”

Less than 20 minutes later, authorities received another phone call from a nearby hospital after a female was dropped off, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The woman, who authorities believe was the second suspect in the home invasion, remains in critical condition.

“We expect her to be in the hospital for a while,” Melendez said.

The third suspect, also a female, apparently escaped from the incident unharmed. Investigators stated they are close to discovering her identity.

The identities of the other two suspects, as well as the resident, have not been released.

Authorities stated that the same residence was the scene of another home invasion in October and they are investigating whether the two are related.

“Obviously, within four months at the same location, two similar crimes, there’s a good possibility that those will be linked,” Melendez said. “We have to put the puzzle pieces together to bridge that gap.”

The incident remains under investigation and although authorities did not reveal what they think may have led up to the home invasion, Melendez stated that the resident is not considered to be a suspect. The handgun he used against his attackers was legally owned and registered and no charges are expected to be filed against him at this time.