SJ resident shot by burglars as they attempt to flee daytime robbery

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- It's a homeowner's worst nightmare to arrive home, not knowing there are burglars inside. But that's what happened to 29-year-old Albert Soumountha, who made an unscheduled return to his house on Greenway Park in San Jose just before noon on Thursday.

He ran into three burglars, who were preparing to leave.

As it turns out, Soumountha is a former Muay thai fighter and tried to fight off the suspects. That's when he was shot.

Albert said, "I saw some guy coming out of the house, so I approached him said, 'Hey, can I help you?'"

Surprisingly, the suspect tried to go back inside and that's when the two started to fight. He didn't see the second suspect pull out the gun until it was too late.

The bullet passed complete through Albert's shoulder, but was able to return home from the hospital by Thursday evening.

In hindsight, Albert says he regrets his actions that could have cost him his life.

Albert says they stole some valuables but failed to take this heavy safe tipped over in the hallway.

The family believes the burglars were watching and broke in through the kitchen window once they knew no one was there.

Soumountha lives at the home with his parents, but they were not home at the time. Venida Soumountha, Albert's mother, is shocked by it all. Neighbors are surprised by the incident as well.

"It's very shocking. Very shocking. Now we have to be alert and make sure everything's closed up," said Jeeta Singh.

Nicole Gonzalez is especially worried because she operates a day care in her home, just a few doors down.

"I'm very concerned because I own a day care, and the state law says you can't lock your doors or anything like that, so anybody could walk into my home. But now, I'm sorry, I'm locking my doors," explained Gonzalez.

The Cambrian neighborhood is considered a quiet area, but residents acknowledge there have been some break-in's recently, prompting some of them to install security and camera systems.

Police would not say if there was surveillance footage of the break-in and shooting.

"Here the people are mostly working people. They're out doing what they're supposed to be doing, and burglars -- they, unfortunately, prey on that," said one neighbor.

The three suspects got away in a Blue Honda Accord getaway car waiting outside the house.

Police are hoping DNA from blood found near a window, which was broken to break into the house, can be used to link to the suspects.

ABC7 News reporter Janet O contributed to this report.