A 41-year-old Colorado man, Lance Andre Hunter, is in the Utah County Jail after being shot by a resident during a violent home invasion and burglary spree in Provo Canyon. Hunter allegedly burglarized a helicopter hangar and was attempting to kick in a locked bedroom door where two women were hiding when the homeowner’s son opened fire in self-defense.
PROVO CANYON, UT — A quiet Thursday evening in the South Fork neighborhood was shattered by a violent multi-stage crime spree that ended with a suspect shot and in handcuffs. Around 8 p.m., Utah County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a sprawling estate featuring a private helicopter hangar after 41-year-old Lance Andre Hunter allegedly breached the property.
Investigators believe Hunter first burglarized the hangar before entering the main residence uninvited. Once inside, he was confronted by the homeowner’s adult son. Hunter allegedly became aggressive and pushed past the son, heading upstairs toward a bedroom where two women had retreated and locked the door. As Hunter began attempting to kick in the bedroom door, the son, now armed with a firearm, re-engaged the intruder and fired multiple shots.
Pursuit and Arrest
Despite being struck at least once, Hunter managed to flee back toward the hangar, where he dropped a firearm he had stolen from the residents. He then stole a vehicle parked at the hangar and attempted to flee the area, but was quickly intercepted by responding deputies. Hunter initially refused to comply with law enforcement commands and had to be wrestled to the ground before being taken to Utah Valley Hospital for treatment.
Hunter now faces a litany of felony charges, including burglary, criminal mischief, theft, and assault. Detectives are still working to determine why Hunter targeted this specific home and if he is linked to other recent burglaries in the Utah County area.
Safety Tip: This case is a textbook example of why “layering” your home defense is vital. The “Safe Room” strategy, where family members retreat to a locked, internal room, provided the critical seconds needed for the son to retrieve his firearm and intervene.
