Florida Sheriff Praises Man Who Shot Armed Burglar

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities say a Polk County homeowner opened fire on a man who allegedly broke into his home on Wednesday afternoon.

The homeowner, who lives in north Lakeland, told deputies the intruder threw a flower pot through his glass French doors to access the home from the back porch, and that he shot him three times.

“I’m proud of our homeowner for defending himself. It’s called a ‘Castle Doctrine.’ He has the right to protect himself and his home from unknown intruders,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

“The homeowner did exactly what he should have – he had a gun, he knew how to use it, it was loaded and he shot him a lot. He gave him an early Christmas present,” said Sheriff Judd. “Only Santa Claus gets to come in your house and Santa Claus is invited.