4 home invaders terrorize residents, wound one

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Four men dressed in black forced their way into an East Side residence, terrorized the occupants at gunpoint and knife point, and stole a video game system before one of them fired two gunshots, grazing a 46-year-old man.

An 18-year-old man living in the home in the 3300 block of Castalia Avenue told police one of the invaders pointed a pistol at the right side of his head, while another held a knife to the left side.

The invaders demanded money and valuables, forced him onto a couch and punched and kicked him in the 10 p.m. Sunday assault, he told police.

A 15-year-old girl residing there said she fled to the basement when one of the burglars pointed a pistol at her.

A 57-year-old woman who lives in the home and uses a wheelchair told police she heard the loud noises and shouting from her bedroom but did not go to investigate.

The girl’s uncle said one of the intruders fired two shots from a pistol, grazing him on the right side of his head and left side of his upper back before he fell down the stairs and said, “I’m hit!”

After the gunfire, the intruders fled through a side door, and the 15-year-old retrieved a cellular phone, from which she dialed 911.

Police recovered one spent .38-caliber shell casing from the kitchen floor, but they couldn’t find the second one.

Ambulance personnel treated the gunshot victim at the scene before police arrived.