Resident chases alleged burglar out of home, burglar fires shot

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A man who allegedly broke into a home on Oak Ridge Drive fired one shot at the victim after being chased out of the home, according to court documents.

South Bend Police were called to the residence just before 7 a.m. on December 18.

The victim told police he was in his bedroom when he awoke to find a man standing in his bedroom doorway.

He confronted the man, who turned and fled the residence, reports said.

The victim followed the man outside the residence and saw the suspect across the parking lot, crouched down by bushes, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The victim yelled at the suspect and the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim, reports said.

The suspect said, “I’m gonna blow you away,” then fired one shot, according to the probable cause affidavit.

No one was injured in the shooting.

Police processed the scene and located a bullet casing near the bushes. They also took fingerprints from the window and window screen that had been removed, reports said.

Once the fingerprints were run through the database, they returned as a match to Nathaniel Redding, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Redding was released from prison in October 2020 and is on parole for a burglary in 2016.

When he was first questioned, Redding denied burglarizing the home, reports said.

During a formal interview, Redding admitted to going to the Oak Hill address to steal items of value, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Redding also admitted to having a .22 caliber handgun and firing that weapon towards the victim, reports said.

Redding has been charged with burglary, intimidation, pointing a firearm, criminal recklessness and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.