Shooting Victim Suffering Complications

Jay Leone fought off a burglar, but now his family is worried about his recovery as doctors keep a watchful eye on the shooting victim.

The 90-year-old Greenbrae resident is suffering complications after being shot in the face during a confrontation with a burglar Wednesday. The bullet entered through Leone's cheek and traveled around and out the back of his head without entering the skull. Leone is suffering severe swelling in his throat as a result, however.

Doctors at Kaiser Hospital in Terra Linda are expected to try to bypass the swelling with a breathing tube. If that doesn't work, doctors might have to operate, according to family. Leone was reportedly transferred to Kaiser from Marin General Hospital this morning.

Leone was confronted with an armed burglar at his home on Via La Cumbre on Wednesday morning. Twin Cities Police say the suspect, Samuel Joseph Cutrufelli, 30, who has addresses in Novato and Petaluma, broke into Leone's home around 10:45 a.m.

He detained Leone, with a gun and began to search the house for valuables. Leone convinced the intruder to let him go to the bathroom, where he grabbed his revolver, then returned to challenge the suspect. Leone said the intruder got off the first shot, but then he responded with five shots, three of which hit the suspect. The suspect, Cutrufelli, then fled in a vehicle.

A short time later, Cutrufelli called San Rafael police saying that he had shot himself, and was in the area of Tiburon Boulevard and Altena Street in San Rafael, about a mile from where the shooting occurred, police Sgt. Michael Norton said. He said he needed medical attention.

It was soon determined that it was Cutrufelli who had broken into Leone's home, Norton said.

Leone, a World War II veteran and former Marin County Sheriff's Deputy, is admired and well-liked by his neighbors, who have been keeping tabs on his condition.

"Naturally, many of the residents on our street are a little rattled. Many of us know or have met the victim. In my interaction with him, he always struck me as a no-nonsense, stand-up guy. I applaud his courage," said Brad Marsh, Leone's neighbor and a Larkspur City Councilman. "My prayers are with him for a speedy recovery.

"Our officers responded quickly, worked effectively and efficiently with other agencies, helped my neighbor to obtain immediate medical treatment and were, as always, extremely professional. Their response was well designed and executed."

Anyone who wants to pass on greetings or well-wishes to Leone, should send them to Kaiser Hospital in Terra Linda.

Cutrufelli was last reported to be in stable condition.

— Bay City News contributed to this report