FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – A Fairfax County homeowner shot a man attempting to break into his home early Wednesday morning, authorities said. 

Virginia home invasion investigation

The backstory:

The incident occurred in the Lake Barcroft area of Falls Church.

Fairfax County Police reported that the suspect tried to break into two homes in the neighborhood before being shot at the front door of the second house. The incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. on Oakwood Drive, where the homeowner was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher when he opened fire, striking the intruder multiple times.

Ring video footage from a neighbor across the street captured the aftermath of the shooting. 

What they’re saying:

The homeowner declined to comment when approached, but neighbors shared their concerns about safety.

“It’s usually a really safe area,” said Haley Wilson, a neighbor. “My family lives around here… but you’ve got to be safe. Cameras, nice locks — they help.”

Another neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted that crime in the area has gradually increased. 

“We’ve been living here for 25 years, and it’s like little stuff—cars getting fussed with—that’s become more frequent in the last three or four years.”

Who is the suspect? 

Big picture view:

Police confirmed that the same suspect attempted to break into another nearby home shortly before the shooting. No injuries were reported at the first house.

The suspect is currently hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and will face charges once his condition improves, police said.

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March came early for Boopie Miller and SMU.

The Mustangs absolutely stunned Virginia on Wednesday night at John Paul Jones Arena after Miller drained a ridiculous fade-away 3-pointer right before the buzzer. The shot, which sent him falling into his own bench before a massive celebration broke out to quiet the Charlottesville crowd, lifted SMU to a 54-52 win.

The bucket was just the second of the night that Miller hit from behind the arc. He finished with 12 points and six rebounds to lead the Mustangs, who improved to 13-4 on the season and 4-2 in ACC play. Miller, a junior, has averaged a team-high 14.6 points and 5.9 assists per game this season.

The game was a defensive battle through and through. The Mustangs took a two-point lead at halftime, and then were held scoreless for a nearly five minute stretch late in the second half — which allowed Virginia to jump back ahead by five points after its long 12-0 run.

But Miller hit his first 3-pointer of the game with just nine seconds left on the clock to cut that deficit back to a single point, and then the Mustangs made a stop on the other end to set up their final inbounds play and Miller’s eventual game-winner.

Blake Buchanan led Virginia with 11 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. Ishan Sharma added 10 points off the bench, too. They were the only two Cavaliers players to hit double figures. The team shot just 4-of-26 from the 3-point line, too. Virginia dropped to 8-9 on the season with the loss.

Chuck Harris added 12 points to go with Miller’s 12 for SMU. Samet Yigitoglu added 10 points and six rebounds, too. SMU, which has now won back-to-back games after losing two straight to both Duke and North Carolina, will take on Miami next on Saturday.