Sansom Park man shot while defending his family from suspected burglars

SANSOM PARK — Richard Applegate, 42, was shot and killed near Skyline Drive Friday morning, Sansom Park police said.

Applegate’s family says he was killed at home around 6:15 a.m. after confronting two young men who threatened them. The family says the confrontation began when the two men falsely accused Applegate’s mother of calling the police that morning.

One of the suspects pulled a gun from his backpack and shot Applegate as he tried to protect his family.

The suspects then fled the crime scene on foot.

The family said authorities responded to a burglary report at another residence in the area around 4 a.m. and spoke briefly with the two suspects before releasing them. The family believes they are the same suspects Applegate faced.

Sansom Park Police are searching for video footage captured between 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. by residents in the area of ​​Skyline Drive, Crowley Street, Comanche Street, Cowden Street, Calloway Street, Joshua Court and Jalah Court.

Family members said the suspects had previously been seen “running around and stealing” in the neighborhood.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Sansom Park Police at [email protected].