The Latest: Chief calls shooting ‘horrible chain of events’

PITTSBURGH – The Latest on the fatal police shooting of a Pittsburgh homeowner by officers responding to a burglar alarm at his home (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh’s acting police chief is describing the fatal police shooting of a homeowner by officers responding to a home burglar alarm as a “horrible chain of events.”

Christopher Thompkins was killed by police early Sunday. Officers say someone fired at them when they got to his house.

Police say they are still unsure who fired the shots.

Thompkins’ ex-wife says he had grabbed a gun when an intruder appeared and chased after him. Police didn’t find a gun on the intruder, who was arrested on a charge of criminal trespass.

Acting Chief Scott Schubert said Monday “it’s difficult to find the words to describe the amount of empathy” he has for Thompkins’ family and the two officers involved.

He says there are many unanswered questions as the shooting is investigated.

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9:20 a.m.

The ex-wife of a Pittsburgh homeowner fatally shot by police responding to a burglary call says officers “shot the wrong guy.”

Brenda and Christopher Thompkins were in bed when they spotted an intruder in the house at about 4 a.m. Sunday.

Christopher Thompkins grabbed Brenda’s gun and was headed downstairs when he fired at the intruder. Police say two officers who responded to a security alarm thought the shots were fired at them. They returned fire and killed Thompkins.

The officers are on administrative leave and the police and district attorney are conducting separate reviews. The officers’ names haven’t been released.

Brenda and 57-year-old Christopher Thompkins were divorced, but the couple reconciled years ago.

The intruder was arrested on a criminal trespass charge.