A man was still recovering in the hospital Monday evening after being shot hours earlier, according to police.

Lubbock Police were called to the 5000 block of 70th Street, around 1 a.m. Monday. Police said there were reports of possible vehicle burglaries in the area.

Jeff James, 52, was on the phone with 911 dispatch when he confronted the suspects, according to police.

That is when the suspects fired a gun, injuring him. 

“He was going next door to try to stop people from breaking into some cars, so it wasn’t even his car being broken into, it was a neighbor’s,” said Brian Pamprin, a neighbor who tried to help James.

Officers arrived moments later, as the three suspects were attempting to drive away from the scene.

“For him to feel like he has to defend himself and in turn be the one getting hurt when he was not in the wrong, it is pretty sad,” said Valerie Martinez, a nearby neighbor. 

The three suspects were taken into custody without incident, police said.

Anthony Acosta, 19, and Ruben Arguijo, 17, were arrested and charged with aggravated assault. A third suspect was a juvenile who was transported to the Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center.

“I don’t understand why people think there is this anonymity just because it’s dark, that you get to go breaking into cars and taking whatever you want. It’s not a free for all,” said Martinez.

The following is a press release from Lubbock Police: 

Lubbock Police were called to the 5000 block of 70th street, around 1:00 a.m. Monday, October 8th, following reports of possible vehicle burglaries in the area.

While officers were in route to the location, the victim, 52-year-old Jeff James, remained on the phone with dispatch. While on the phone, James confronted the suspects, at which point the suspects fired a gun, injuring him. Officers arrived moments later, as the three suspects were attempting to drive away from the scene. All three were taken into custody without incident.

James was transported to UMC with serious injuries.

Two of the suspects, 19-year-old Anthony Acosta, and 17-year-old Ruben Arguijo were transported to the Lubbock County Detention Center, where they are facing charges of Aggravated Assault. The third suspect, a juvenile, was transported to the Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center.

Detectives with LPD’s Persons Crimes Unit continue to investigate.

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