However, my firearm training is that while I may have a legal right to use deadly force to protect property, I am in a much stronger (criminal & CIVIL) court defensive position if I only use deadly force when I feel that my life (or that of someone else) is in danger or I fear serious physical harm.
Because of that training, I would not have shot the young punk as he was trying to escape. Carrying a firearm is a huge responsibility (yes I have concealed carry licenses issued by two States under two separate sets of rules. And yes I have talked to attorneys and some judges at the gun range I belong to about the use of deadly force.)
While the lady may have been within her legal rights I am sure that there is an attorney who would love to file a civil court action against her in the hopes of scoring some big bucks.
Don’t care anymore about all the legal “niceties”. Dead bodies send a powerful message.
I would not have shot the young punk . . . Very compassionate thinking. Leave him to victimize someone else down the road, possibly in a more violent nature. Obviously there are no behavior restraints taught at home, and if behavior modification worked we would not have these issues. You sound just like the judge’s, give him a second chance. (After all i live in a gated community so it won’t come back on me).