Authorities in Florida say a home invasion by three men last week that was likely meant to be a quick smash-and-grab turned into a nightmare when the homeowner defended his property by fighting with gunfire.
Two of them were shot, and one of them was killed before they could steal property or cause any harm. The third suspect was apprehended.
The incident occurred on a Friday afternoon in the town of Port Richey, which is located north of Tampa.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reports that at around 2:00 p.m., three guys tried to break into a house and were greeted by an armed occupant who decided to use their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
According to a statement posted to Facebook by the sheriff’s office on Friday, “preliminary information suggests that around 2:10 p.m. today, three individuals were attempting to break into a property,” the statement reads.
The sheriff’s office reported that one intruder had been killed by gunshot. Gunshots injured another suspect, took refuge in a nearby hospital, and is now in police custody.
One person was killed, and two others were arrested during a botched burglary, and many local schools were forced to lock down their campuses as a result.
The sheriff’s office did not identify the suspects or the homeowner.
Authorities gave no word as to whether or not the homeowner would be exonerated. The situation is currently being reviewed.
The individual in question is protected by the Sunshine State’s extensive and unambiguous set of self-defense statutes.
While the loss of life is not something to celebrate, the deceased — according to authorities — made a purposeful decision to illegally enter someone else’s home in a place where criminals should assume that the consequences might be deadly.
The number of firearms purchased legally has reached all-time highs in recent years.
Those who plot and commit such acts now do so at the risk of their own lives.
