TAMPA — A retired school principal was shot Wednesday night during a burglary at his home in the Wellswood area of Tampa, police said.
Officers arrived at 2703 W Wilder Ave. just after 10 p.m. in response to a report of a residential burglary. They found Marvin Leuschke, 68, shot once in the abdomen. The man who shot him ran away as officers neared the house, police said, prompting a brief foot chase.
They caught and arrested Dagoberto Cuevas, 20, who was carrying the gun used in the shooting, police said. He also had a bag of marijuana on him when he was arrested, according to an arrest report.
After an initial investigation, police issued a news release stating that Cuevas had apparently stolen drugs from Leuschke's home and that the crime was "not a random act." But a later release stated that officers were unclear on whether drugs played a role in the crime.
Further details were not released.
"He broke in and my husband confronted him and he was shot," said Leuschke's wife, Deana, when reached via phone Wednesday morning. She declined to speak more about what happened.
Leuschke underwent surgery at a local hospital and was listed in critical condition Wednesday morning. He is a retired educator, who formerly served as principal of the Cambridge Christian School in Tampa. He and his wife moved into their home in September, having returned to Tampa after living for several years in Kentucky, his wife said.
Cuevas was charged with armed burglary of a dwelling, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and obstructing or opposing an officer without violence. He was being held without bail Wednesday in Hillsborough County jail.