[Mariner]

“What is this “logic” that says, “oh, it wasn’t in his house - it was ‘just’ in his garage, so therefore the owner should not have defended himself”?

Unfortunately, that is the legal STANDARD for the police. They can go into a detached garage, your backyard or any of your property to check out anything they find suspicious. Without a warrant. Just not into your domicile.

[rolling_stone]

curtilage

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtilage

[GreyHoundSailor]

Not true in my state Mariner. Only a game warden can enter your property without a warrant and conduct a search outside your domicile.

In our case, they may enter an open gate but it may be locked when they want to leave.

[TexasGator]

“They can go into a detached garage, your backyard or any of your property to check out anything they find suspicious. Without a warrant. Just not into your domicile.”

You might want to consult a lawyer.