Oh Lordy! Well yeah, the company should have advised the homeowner!
Then again, the homeowner knew photographer was going to come the previous day. And there's a lockbox on the house? This ought to be an interesting case to follow!
Cue the kids and gun control marches! LMAO

Well if it was deer season and they wore this hat...

Otherwise, to quote the lyrics of "Civil War" by Guns 'n Roses, "What we have here is failure to communicate"

Stuff happens. Again. And again. 

Combo box on an occupied house?

Poor communication?

And what Realtor will show that house now?

There are no winners in this sad story.

Once again, communication is KEY in our business - that would have avoided this on all levels!

Wow, will have to continue to follow to find out the outcome.

Now that is seriously nuts! But goes to show why we need to commuinicate, communicate, communicate with our clients and confirm, confirm, confirm. That being said, I'm about to list a home that was previously on market for six months... didn't sell, obviously. Photos and marketing were atrocious. I couldn't believe they were done professionally, but they were... that photographer should have been shot (just kidding!). But he should be drummed out of the business and refund his fee to whomever hired him.

This is going to be an interesting case to follow! No communication!!

Wow, will be interested to see this out come.

I am sure pleny of fingers will be pointing to others with the blame for this, that guy will knock next time.

It seems the agent and photographer confirmed with each other, but failed to inform the homeowner.

The photographer should have knocked on the door or rang the bell.  If no answer, get the key from the lock box, open the door, lean inside and loudly announce their presence.

When the photographer heard the alarm, he should have immediately contacted the listing office.

Any one of many small actions could have prevented this whole disaster.

These kinds of things can easily be avoided with clear and present communication and confirmation of messages received. 

In that case the photographer was the injured party, literally. The agent did not do his job.

I saw this story on the evening news yesterday and found it profoundly disturbing. It was a very serious act of miscommunication on behalf of the agent / brokerage. I say this because an agent should KNOW his or her customer and discuss things like the sellers security, weapons and alarms in the home. The agent must then communicate appropriately with the seller all showings, inspections and other visits to the home. In addition, the seller has responsibility also. After all, they did place the home for sale didn't they??? And, to shoot at someone through the bedroom door is very irresponsible. I see the seller charged criminally and both the agent and seller sued in civil court. 

I have walked into homes (with properly set appointments) and the seller have no idea that I was coming. Brokers and sellers need to communicate clearly all showing activity and sellers need to realize that their home is on the market and mistakes do happen. 

Without knowing the back story, no way to say other than it's a shame.

Lack Of Communication causes a lot our troubles.

Oh mercy! What a terrible day for all.

I think the agency is absolutely at fault here. However, shooting first is never justified in my mind... but don't get me started on the gun issue.

This Owner followed the principle of "Shoot 1st, ask questions later". 

They are all participants. The agent has responsibility for not letting the homeowner know. The owner acted impulsively and the photographer should have shouted out. Now the judge will decide.

It sounds like everyone is to blame. The photographer for not ringing the bell/knocking on the door/yelling "Photographer here!" and calling the person who set the appointment up to find out what to do about the alarm. The real estate company/agent for not notifying the home owner that the appointment was rescheduled. The home owner for shooting without having any idea what she was shooting at. What a mess. 

I won't assign blame, but I never enter an occupied home without knocking first and announcing myself when I go in if no one answers.  

There's enogh blame to go around here... Starting with the Agent for not nofifying the homeowner... and the homeonwer acted  unreasonably without knowing there was an unwaned intruder..  In addition, I would never give out the lockbox code to the photgrapher (or anyone else). I would arrive to let him/her in and stay for the duration of his/her visit and ensure the home was locked and secured when I left.

The home owner needed to be advised. However, there is no good reason to shoot the photographer.

Jeff,

Since time immemorial, there have been misunderstandings and mishaps.  A

I did an appraisal once where I had guns drawn on me and was physically mishandled, abused and detained by over 15-20 people. Fear & paranoia about me being there to do them harm? Once guy said he feared my phone would be used to detonate a car bomb....Mob thinking at work

This is just wrong on so many levels but a suit? I guess who is going to pay the hospital bills & lack of work?

Jeff Pearl I think the photographer dropped the ball. Why didn't he call the person's home to confirm the appointment? He let other people asume his responsibility. Luckly he survived the incident.

Never heard of this ?

This idiot photographer should in the least have knocked on the door.  Then this idiot homeowner should maybe ask a question before shooting everyone entering her home.

Another contestant for the Darwin Awards...

I blame the photographer who should have checked to make sure the appointment was made. Who should have rang the bell. Who should have announced he was there when opening the door. LASTLY i actually accompany my photographers when i hire one for an upscale home. The photographer insists on it. I like to see what is shot and what i would like him to take. 

Scary.

Jeff Pearl - let the law decide!

(And if was to happen, it would happen!)

Yes, not probably gonna happen in CA, but yes, everyone gets a clear communication who comes and when.

Jeff, you do find the most interesting articles.  What a mess!  

In my practice the photographer would NEVER have access to the home without me and I wouldn't be there without an appointment.  And if someone came into my house when I was home and I wasn't expecting them they might meet the same fate... but I target practice a lot so I doubt they would be suing me or anyone.

It would be a good idea for the photographer/agent to confirm with the seller