TURLOCK  (AP) — Police in the Central California town of Turlock say a homeowner killed a transient who he said was trespassing on his property and trying to steal some of his possessions.

Officers who responded to the scene on Tuesday found a homeless man dead in a sweet potato field from a gunshot to the head.

Turlock police officer Mayra Lewis says the homeowner, 58-year-old Robin Boyer, told police he spotted the man trying to steal some of his possessions and confronted him before opening fire. Boyer told police he had seen the man trespassing on his property on previous occasions.

Police have not identified the dead man, but say he was 22-years old.

Lewis says Boyer is cooperating with police and has not been charged.