ROCHESTER, Minn. -
Rochester police say a grandfather shot and critically wounded his teenage granddaughter after mistaking her for an intruder.
Neighbors identified the shooter as Pastor Stan Wilkinson, who is an associate pastor at the Rochester Seventh Day Adventist Church according to the church's website.
Authorities say he and his wife were asleep when they awoke to a noise outside about 11 p.m. Monday. The man grabbed his handgun and told his wife to call police as he went to investigate.
Capt. Brian Winters says the grandfather saw a figure at the back door and fired at least two shots. The figure was actually the man's 16-year-old granddaughter, who he thought was already inside the house.
The teen, who is in critical condition but is expected to survive, had recently been living with her grandparents. She was hit once in the upper torso and an organ was struck.
FOX 9 News learned the 61-year-old grandfather told police a recent burglary at a nearby recreation center was on his mind when he went to investigate the noise; however, authorities say three arrests had already been made in that case by the time the shooting occurred.
Authorities say Wilkinson is distraught following the shooting.
Police told FOX 9 News they are anxious to speak with the victim, who remains at St. Mary's Hospital. They anticipate it will take a few days for her to recover enough to be interviewed.
According to Winters, there is no indication the girl was trying to sneak out of the house.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
