SEACLIFF — The man who was shot multiple times as he allegedly tried to break into a Seacliff home early June 20 made his first appearance in court Monday.
In the courtroom of Timothy Volkmann, Damien Welch, 25, of Aptos, was arraigned on two felony counts, first-degree burglary and attempted burglary.
Welch allegedly entered the home on Cedar Street around 3 a.m. A short time later a female resident had an encounter with him and shot him, claiming she feared for her life, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dee Baldwin said. Welch reportedly took a large rock and smashed the window of a side door trying to get inside.
“What he didn’t realize is that the woman in the home was armed with a handgun,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Fearing for her life, she shot Welch. That didn’t stop him, and he tried to find another way inside.”
The woman called 911 as she retreated to her upstairs bedroom. Welch climbed onto the roof leading to the bedroom. The woman fired her handgun at Welch striking him again, causing him to stop. When deputies arrived they found Welch on the roof. He was taken to the hospital.
Baldwin said that there was no prior relationship between the resident and the suspect.
A preliminary hearing has been set for July 22.
Welch is being held on a $75,000 bail.
