“A Des Moines homeowner fired a gun during a burglary this morning but it was only a warning shot. Randy Owens, 42, said he fired a shot into an old furnace so the burglar would know he wasn’t holding a BB gun. He said he did not shoot at the burglar. … Owens heard a garage alarm about 5:30 a.m. and went to investigate. A side door had been kicked open; it had the outline of a large footprint on it. The lock was broken. When he entered his shop, Owens said he noticed someone under one of his tables. Police said in a report: ‘He told the suspect to come out and a verbal argument ensued. As they argued Randy stated that he drew his 9 mm handgun. The suspect lunged forward, striking Randy in the forearm with a cane.’ Owens said the man pleaded with him to let him go. Owens tried to hold him in the garage until police arrived but the man kept coming at him and Owens allowed him to get away. The man ran off in the dark and police arrived a few minutes later.” (05/13/08)