Posted on 12/19/2021 4:50:06 AM PST by marktwain
LAKELAND, Fla. — An investigation is underway after a Lakeland homeowner shot an intruder who broke into his home Wednesday afternoon.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said shortly before 1 p.m. Steven Stillwell, 42, broke into a home near Gibsonia-Galloway Road.
Stillwell, according to the homeowner, used a flower pot to break the glass back door of the home before making his way inside. Once inside, the homeowner said he shot Stillwell three times with his legally owned gun.
Upon arrival, deputies said the homeowner gave them his gun and led them to Stillwell, who was on the floor of the living room.
Stillwell was provided first aid and then transported to a local hospital by Polk County Fire Rescue, where he currently "is in critical, stable condition."
PCSO said a shotgun belonging to Stillwell was found in the backyard and detectives were able to access video that showed Stillwell "running from a gate in the backyard and inside the attached back porch area of the home."
“The castle doctrine is very clear in Florida law. A person’s home is his refuge," Sheriff Graddy Judd said in a press release. "The evidence in this case at this point indicates that the suspect illegally forced his way into the home. The homeowner did exactly what he had a right to do. I commend him for protecting himself and defending his home."
PCSO said Stillwell and the homeowner do not know each other.
Criminal charges against Stillwell are pending as the shooting investigation continues, per PCSO.
The tide is turning for the right to defend yourself and your home.
If you live in Florida!
We have some superb sheriffs down here, Judd being one of them
“Upon arrival, deputies said the homeowner gave them his gun ...”
I don’t like this. After calling 911 and U.S. Concealed Carry Assoc., I’d like to think that I would have the presence of mind to make the weapon safe and secure it. If I handed the weapon to the police, I would think there is a good chance of never seeing it again.
Easy to Monday-morning-quarterback this incredibly stressful event.
What was the calibre of the flower pot?
I don’t know but the homeowner took a pot shot at the intruder and hit him.
Grady is a legend!
My favorite from years ago “Sherrif, why did your deputies shoot that man over 100 times ?” Judd replied “ I presume they ran out of bullets “.
*groan*
That is a poorly worded title.
I guess they have stopped teaching English writing skills altogether in J-school....
Hey. I tried.
The Sheriff is right on the money with his reply. The newspaper headline is biased. Armed intruder with a flowerpot would have been more accurate than what was printed.
That must have been one of those new ARflower pots.
It doesn't matter if he used a flower pot or the detached hoof from a unicorn - he broke into an occupied residence.
I just saw a video tape of a program where someone was murdered with a handheld glass bookend.
In that case the accused didn't do it and Perry Mason got them off.
What about the “...and kills...” part of the story? I guess this is then only the half good news story of the day.
Yes. Even out here in the Soviet of Washington we have rural sheriffs telling the citizens to arm up. Goober governor dimslee has released thousands of criminals including felons with violent records. The message from the sheriffs is, “When seconds count, the Police are minutes away.”
Another fun fact that shows us serfs are listening is we have about 8 million residents and there are almost 1 million CCW’S issued here. Pretty interesting for a big blue state, we also are an open carry state.
Yup, you have to like Sheriff Judd.
IIRC, to paraphrase, he was once asked by a newsreader why his deputies had to shoot a perp 84 times. The Sheriff replied that was all the ammo they had on them.
FYI, Steamatic Carpet Cleaning works well on blood stains.
Meanwhile, gang shootings on the rise in Polk County ...
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