Cops: Homeowner shoots, kills burglar in Powelton

A homeowner in Powelton shot a man who broke into his house to death Tuesday night, police said.

Cops said the man was upstairs in his home, on Wiota Street near Spring Garden, around 9 p.m. when he heard the burglar break into the house through his kitchen door. The burglar made it to the living room, with a spade shovel in hand, and started up the stairs to the second floor when police say the 37-year-old homeowner shot him three times in the chest.

The burglar was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The break-in and shooting were under investigation late Tuesday night.

Morgan Zalot can be reached at zalotm@phillynews.com or 215-854-5928.