Homeowner kills intruder in Rolla

ROLLA, Mo. -- A man shot and killed another man who had broken into his home and shot him and his wife, authorities said.

David W. Brown, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene Friday night. The couple, James Butler, 48, and Suzanne Butler, 44, each suffered single gunshot wounds and were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. James Butler was released from the Phelps County Regional Medical Center on Saturday afternoon.

According to the Phelps County Sheriff's Office, Brown broke into the Butlers' home around 11 p.m. armed with a .22-caliber handgun and .22-caliber rifle, extra ammunition and gloves.

Brown fired at the couple, striking Suzanne Butler in the arm and James Butler in the neck. James Butler then retrieved a handgun he had in the house and shot Brown several times, killing him.

The couple had hired Brown, a neighbor, to do odd jobs around the house a few years ago, James Butler told the Rolla Daily News on Saturday. About a year ago, the Butlers noticed him peeking in windows. That escalated to threats, unwanted calls, and break-ins, Butler said. On Christmas Eve, Butler said his wife was assaulted by Brown after she came home and found him in the house.

Sgt. Mark Williams of the Phelps County Sheriff's Office said there were several warrants for Brown's arrest at the time of his death, stemming from one charge each of second-degree burglary, first-degree trespassing, resisting arrest, and violation of a restraining order.