Man shot fending off home invasion

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

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A city man trying to fight off two men breaking into his residence was shot late Wednesday, police said.

The victim, identified as 20-year-old Unique B. King, sustained one gunshot wound. He was taken to Ellis Hospital, where he was treated for injuries described by police as non-life-threatening.

The incident happened just before midnight Wednesday at 43 Kelton Ave., police said. Two men burst into King’s apartment, one armed with a handgun. Both demanded money.

As King tried to disarm the man with the gun, he was shot in the abdomen, police spokesman Lt. Mark McCracken said. After the gun went off, the men fled, McCracken said. He declined to say whether the suspects got what they were looking for.

Asked if there was any other motive for the home invasion besides cash, McCracken said the full motive for the home invasion is part of the ongoing investigation.

Police only described the suspects as wearing hoodies and masks.

Anyone with information is asked to contact city police at 382-5245.

Such home invasions can lead to long prison sentences, depending on the history of the suspects.

A bloody January 2011 home invasion on Guilderland Avenue saw three people stabbed. The case also resulted in one suspect receiving 24 years to life in prison at his August 2012 sentencing.

That man, Luvadollar Godallah, was convicted of invading the apartment looking for money and marijuana. A second man, James Tedeschi, was sentenced last month to eight years for his role in the break-in.

All three victims in that case survived.