Would it even rate a police case number in Texas?
I don’t think so.
It’s my understanding ( and this is not legal advice) that in Texas this would be a legal shoot if it was at night, but not during the day. It was explained to me the reasoning is that it is harder to identify a thief at night. As far as I know, Texas is the only state that allows defending property with lethal force even if you or another’s life is not in danger.
Also, even in Texas a lot might depend on which city or county you are in.
See Texas Penal Code Section 9.42.
Yes, it would.
Used to live in Houston. County sheriff issued a statement (in newspapers, even) that if someone tried to enter your house it was OK to shoot to kill. But, BUT, to avoid questions you should drag the corpse back across the doorway. Deputies would just nod and remove the body.
Once they are on the run, tho, you would be facing criminal charges. The issue is not that you protected your property. Rather, shooting across your front lawn endangers the neighbors.
No, nor in Florida. Florida sheriffs encourage home owners to ventilate invaders and at least one sheriff from the Panhandle has offered shooting instruction to his constituents. Gotta love those Florida sheriffs!