Nov. 29--Several home invaders seeking drugs shot and killed a 39-year-old man early Tuesday at a Southwest Side group home for people with mental illness, police said. About 12:30 a.m., the robbers forced their way into the home in the 1400 block of West Nevins Drive, near West Valencia and South Midvale Park roads, said Sgt. Decio Hopffer, a Tucson Police Department spokesman. They ordered four patients and one housekeeper to lie face-down on the floor, asked for drugs and shot one of the patients -- Sean Daugherty -- before running away, Hopffer said. Daugherty had only recently been placed at the home, Hopffer said. The gunmen were described as being in their 20s. Hopffer could not say how many entered the group home, why Daugherty was shot or if drugs were found. Owners of the group home could not be reached for comment. Hopffer could not specifically say why the home was targeted. Most home invasions involve people stealing drugs or illegal goods, he said. ''Lifestyle certainly plays a big role in how often these things happen,'' Hopffer said. This is the second home invasion that has resulted in a death in the last two months. On Oct. 14, robbers held a family at gunpoint while stealing cash and valuables from their Corona de Tucson home, about 30 miles southeast of Tucson. Pima County sheriff's Deputy Lorence Jove shot and killed one of the fleeing suspects, and three others were arrested. Anyone with information about the home invasion and slaying is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.

--Star reporter Alexis Huicochea contributed to this story. Contact reporter Dale Quinn at 629-9412 or dquinn@azstarnet.com.

By Dale Quinn