George Karkoc, a 79-year-old Los Angeles landlord and Vietnam veteran, fatally shot a naked intruder after the suspect body-slammed him to the ground, breaking both of his legs. The incident occurred around 7:15 a.m. Nov. 7 in the 4500 block of Tujunga Avenue at a Studio City apartment, authorities said.
Karkoc told the station he heard his female tenant screaming and knew he had to act quickly: “I just thought, ‘I need to get aggressive,’ so I ran into the house and got my gun.” The naked intruder rushed at Karkoc, body-slamming him and breaking both legs. Injured and pinned to the ground, Karkoc said he had to defend himself and shot the intruder three times.
Karkoc was rushed to a hospital in serious condition, with his legs, ankles, and hips full of pins, according to his son. The suspect was declared dead at the scene.
“This incident, although horrible, brought me a great feeling that I was able to do something to protect other people,” Karkoc told the station. On Veterans Day, a group of Los Angeles police officers visited him in the hospital and thanked him for his service.
Karkoc’s tenant, Chloe Dzielak, tearfully recounted what she saw, stating, “He was protecting me. He saved my life. I don’t know what would have happened if he wasn’t there.” Dzielak also described Karkoc as calm even while speaking to the naked intruder.
Karkoc’s son added that family members have organized a GoFundMe for him, noting the couple may need an in-home caretaker for both of them until his dad heals. “He just keeps his head and takes care of other people around him,” said the son, calling Karkoc “a hero.”
