El Paso County Sheriff’s Office investigates home invasion, shooting in Stratmoor Valley area
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for multiple intruders in a home invasion Monday night that ended with one person shot in the area of I-25 and South Academy Boulevard.
The area, known as Stratmoor Valley, is just south of the Colorado Springs city limits.
A woman called 911 around 7:45 p.m. Monday and said that a group of six men dressed in black clothing forced their way into her home in the 2700 block of Aqualane Drive. She told police all of the men but one were carrying guns.
The men demanded money and rummaged through the home but apparently took nothing.
At some point, the woman’s grandfather was shot in the hip. He was treated at a hospital and released.
The intruders left in a dark-colored SUV. No other information about the vehicle is available.
Natalie Sosa, with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, said authorities did not issue a Reverse 911 call but asked neighbors to be alert for suspicious activity.
“We’re just asking the public if they saw or heard anything that might be relative to our case, to contact our tip line,” she said. “The other thing we’re asking is if anyone has any video footage from that area that might assist in the investigation, we’re also asking for that, as well.”
A neighbor said she has surveillance cameras around her home but they weren’t recording during the incident.
“I’m afraid those people will come back and get me if they think I have them on video,” she said.
Another neighbor, Ali Ahmed, said he was saddened by the home invasion.
“There are four adults living there,” he said. “The old man — who’s a nice guy — his wife, their two daughters and several kids. I was sorry to hear he got shot. I tried to help them out because they don’t have a lot of money.”
Some neighbors said the home has been a source of trouble for years, with frequent loud arguments and people regularly going in and out.
“Some of that could be from the daughters,” Ahmed said. “One is very vocal. And there are boyfriends who drop by a lot.”
One of the women in the house declined to be interviewed Tuesday.
“Everyone is sleeping now, but we’re all fine,” she said. “We don’t know who those (invaders) are. I will talk more about it later because I don’t like what’s being said about us and I want to set the record straight.”
