Overview
- George Karkoc, a 79-year-old landlord and Vietnam War veteran, described from the hospital how he shot a naked intruder who attacked him at an apartment complex in Studio City.
- The confrontation unfolded around 7 a.m. on Nov. 7 on the 4500 block of Tujunga Avenue after the intruder forced entry and chased a tenant outside, according to police and witnesses.
- LAPD Capt. Warner Castillo said witnesses reported the attacker body-slammed Karkoc onto a concrete driveway, breaking both of his legs, before Karkoc fired three times and the intruder died at the scene.
- Security video showed the suspect walking naked, rambling, and grabbing a yard sign before attempting break-ins, with neighbors describing his behavior as erratic or possibly drug- or mental-health-related.
- Karkoc underwent surgery for his injuries and remains hospitalized, the suspect has not been publicly identified, and the case has been forwarded to prosecutors for review.