Copyright KABC-TV
STUDIO CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The woman who was saved when her Studio City landlord opened fire on a naked intruder is speaking out and recounting the terrifying encounter. Chloe Dzielak says she doesn't know what would've happened if her neighbor and landlord, a 79-year-old Vietnam War veteran, hadn't jumped into action. It unfolded Friday when the naked man broke into her apartment and then attacked her neighbor, George Karkoc, who opened fire and killed him. "I'm so thankful for George. My husband was out walking the dog and I was alone and I don't know what I would've done without him there. I don't know what the outcome of this would've been," she said. The bizarre and deadly encounter happened after the naked suspect targeted Dzielak's home. "My front door burst open and there was a naked man standing there, yelling at me in gibberish," she said. Dzielak escaped as Karkoc, who was armed, confronted the nude man outside. "The man then opened his arms really wide and went in and grabbed George. It looked like he was going to go for a hug, but he held him and just body slammed him." The 79-year-old, who remains hospitalized with two broken legs and a fractured hip, managed to keep a hold of his gun. "I pressed it against his body and fired off a round. And he was still moving around, kinda went back a little bit, and I fired another round into his torso... and I just did the third round in his head," Karkoc recounted. Police say the man, who has not yet been identified, may have been under the influence of drugs or suffering mental health problems. Karkoc is now recovering and unable to walk for at least six weeks. His family has started a GoFundMe account to help with medical expenses. "I'm just really, really thankful that he was here for me in that moment," Dzielak said. LAPD officers and a sheriff's deputy visited Karkos in the hospital Tuesday and recognized him for his military service and quick action last week.
