Albany Man Shot After Breaking Into Apartment While Resident Slept, Police Say

ALBANY, Georgia – An early-morning break-in at an Albany apartment complex ended with a suspected intruder hospitalized after being shot by a resident, according to police.

Officers with the Albany Police Department responded around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2026, to a reported shooting at an apartment complex in the 1500 block of Dawson Road. Investigators determined that 36-year-old Tommy Poole suffered multiple gunshot wounds during what authorities described as an attempted burglary.

Police said Poole forcibly entered the apartment by breaking the glass of a rear bedroom window while the resident was asleep inside. The sound of the breaking glass alerted the victim, who retrieved a firearm and went to investigate.

According to investigators, the resident found Poole crawling on the floor inside the apartment and held him at gunpoint while attempting to contact police. During the encounter, Poole allegedly tried to reach for the resident’s firearm. At that point, the resident fired multiple shots, striking Poole.

While processing the scene, officers learned Poole had also shattered the window of a second apartment in the same complex and damaged the door of another residence before entering the victim’s unit.

Poole was transported to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. Police said no charges are being filed against the resident at this time.

Poole is expected to face charges related to burglary and criminal trespass once the investigation is complete. Authorities said the case remains active, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.