Score card...Old dude 1 - - Thief 0

[L8 Braker]

[Builtgypsy]

Looks pretty clear cut right now.

[PhilB]

Given that information, how could anyone think "old dude" was wrong in any way?

PhilB

[L8 Braker]

Originally Posted by PhilB

Given that information, how could anyone think "old dude" was wrong in any way?

PhilB

There's always a bleeding heart somewhere that will say, "violence is NEVER the answer", and maybe the old dude should've ran for the exit, instead of taking anothers life...

[acalliste]

Like maybe he should have waited for the intruder to remember how to turn the safety off and then gotten shot with his own gun or abducted & dragged to the nearest ATMs to withdraw money & then shot?

Intruder-dude gave up his right to not get shot as soon as he broke in to someone elses house.

[blurr]

Sounds like he shot the burglar in the back, that more often than not can get you a one way ticket to the slammer

[L8 Braker]

Originally Posted by blurr

Sounds like he shot the burglar in the back, that more often than not can get you a one way ticket to the slammer

Not in Florida, if you're in your own home

[scarredpelt]

Originally Posted by blurr

Sounds like he shot the burglar in the back, that more often than not can get you a one way ticket to the slammer

His defense in this case is disparity of force and prior actions. He could claim that the beating and the apparent attempt at murdering him placed him in fear of his life to the point that he took the first chance he had to defend his life. If the guy had been attempting to leave there might be questions but if he was digging in the closet it's another thing.

[not2slow]

Shoot him until he is dead dead dead.

[L8 Braker]

Elderly Manatee County man guns down intruder | abcactionnews.com

BRADENTON, FL -- A man was killed Monday night after he broke into a Manatee County home.

According to deputies, Lee Andrew Johnson broke into 74-year-old Hosie Harris's home and started hitting him in the face and head.

Investigators say Harris had a loaded 22-gauge rifle by his bed. Johnson grabbed it and tried to fire, but the safety was on.

"Basically he didn't know how to operate the rifle. So he puts the rifle down and the bad guy starts to go over to the closet," said Dave Bristow, Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesperson.

Johnson may have had trouble firing the gun, but Harris did not. He shot and killed the man who broke into his home.

Harris was treated for some injuries but is out of the hospital. And a family member tells me he's doing fine. Bristow says no charges will be filed against Harris for defending himself and his home.

Deputies say the intruder may have encountered Harris earlier in the day at the bank.

"When he (Johnson) broke in he said give me your money, I know you've been to the bank," said Bristow.

Some in his neighborhood say they are often worried about crime here. One woman told me she won't open the door at night -- and she reads her bible hoping for some divine protection.