A homeowner in Florida fatally shot one of two masked intruders during an attempted home invasion in the River Club area late Thursday night, and one sheriff says you ‘should expect to be shot’ breaking into a Florida home.
The second suspect fled but was later apprehended by authorities.
The incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Hickory Hammock Circle. The homeowner, alerted by motion-detection cameras, observed two masked individuals attempting to break into his home. He immediately informed his wife, directed her to a safe location, and retrieved his firearm.
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Upon entering a bedroom that the suspects had accessed, the homeowner confronted one of the intruders. He fired at least three shots, striking the suspect, while the second suspect, partially through a window, fled the scene. Deputies later located the fleeing suspect approximately four blocks away.
The injured suspect succumbed to his wounds early Friday morning. The surviving suspect, who is reportedly of Chilean descent and had overstayed a 90-day visa issued upon entering the U.S. earlier this year, is in custody. The identities of the suspects have not been confirmed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells praised the homeowner’s actions during a Friday press conference.
“This is the state of Florida. If you break into someone’s home, you should expect to be shot,” Wells said. “This homeowner acted decisively to protect his family and his home. These suspects were brazen enough to break into an occupied dwelling at 9:00 p.m., and the homeowner did what he needed to do to ensure their safety.”
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Wells also noted that the suspects used a large screwdriver-like pry bar to break a window and gain entry. No firearms were found on the suspects.
Preliminary information suggests the surviving suspect recently arrived in Tampa after traveling from California. Authorities believe the two suspects used a rideshare service to reach the River Club area. Investigators are working with Border Patrol to confirm their identities and determine why the home was targeted.
The Sheriff commended the homeowner’s swift response, highlighting his use of surveillance cameras and his actions to secure his wife’s safety before confronting the intruders.
“He saw something bad was about to happen, acted quickly, and confronted the threat,” Wells said. “His actions likely saved lives.”
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While there has been no increase in home invasions in the area, detectives are investigating whether the suspects may be linked to other burglaries. Sheriff Wells encouraged homeowners to remain vigilant and consider exercising their Second Amendment rights.
The homeowner legally owned the semi-automatic 9mm firearm used in the incident. No charges have been filed against the homeowner.
Authorities continue to investigate the case and are urging residents to report any suspicious activity in the area.
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