Sansom Park man shot and killed while defending family from suspected burglars

SANSOM PARK — Richard Applegate, 42, was fatally shot Friday morning near Skyline Drive, Sansom Park police said.

Applegate's family says he was killed around 6:15 a.m. at his home after confronting two young men who were threatening them. The family claims the confrontation began when the two men falsely accused Applegate's mother of calling the police earlier that morning.

One of the suspects pulled a gun out of his backpack and shot Applegate as he tried to protect his family.

The suspects then fled on foot.

The family said authorities responded to a report of a break-in at another residence in the neighborhood around 4 a.m. and police briefly spoke to the two suspects before releasing them. The family believes these are the same suspects Applegate faced.

Sansom Park Police are seeking video footage captured between 4:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. of residents in the area of ​​Skyline Drive, Crowley Street, Comanche Street, Cowden Street, Calloway Street, Joshua Court and Jalah Court.

Family members said the suspects had previously been seen “running and stealing” in the neighborhood.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Sansom Park Police at [email protected].