(ProsperNews.net) – A homeowner in Florida shot three burglars trying to enter his house. The incident occurred at the Hickory Hill Drive area of Port Richey, and according to Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, two of the suspects were hit when the homeowner opened fire; its officers arrested a third as he tried to escape. One of the burglars died at the scene while the second was injured. Police did not name the suspects or the homeowner.
Local schools were shut down while officers contained the incident, which occurred at around 2 pm. Law enforcement has not commented on whether the shooter is suspected of breaking the law, but the Sunshine State has adopted “Stand Your Ground” laws, which permit people to use deadly force in the prevention of felonies or for their own protection.
Since their introduction in 2005, Florida’s controversial self-defense laws have come under intense criticism, and another attempt to repeal them will feature in the upcoming legislative session. State Senator Shervin Jones said he intends to introduce a proposal to end “Stand Your Ground” and replace it with a duty to “avoid the necessity of using deadly force.” Jones said his proposal will “reduce the number of individuals dying from gun violence,” but he may face an uphill battle in a Republican-controlled legislature that strengthened “Stand Your Ground” in 2017.
Lawmakers altered the defense in 2017 and shifted the burden of proof to the prosecution, which must demonstrate why an individual should not be permitted to defend themselves with force.
The issue became a focus of the trial of George Zimmerman, which made global headlines in 2012 and brought race to the heart of the debate. Hispanic Zimmerman shot and killed black teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, saying he killed him in self-defense after confronting him trying to rob a house. Police did not initially charge Mr. Zimmerman, but political pressure eventually led to an arrest and trial. A jury acquitted him of manslaughter charges.
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