Anything other than a center-mass shot if foolish, especially at night, with far too many unknowns. How many people are really good enough with a handgun to try to shoot-to-wound? I am not going for any leg shot, and I am not going for a head shot, it's going in the chest.
I think this homeowner showed restraint by only pulling the trigger once.
Doesn't sound like she used a handgun. The story doesn't say, unless I missed it. Generally, if you know you are going to need a gun, a handgun should only be along as backup. A rifle, unless it's an "ugly black gun" (or other military type semi or full auto) is much more PC, which will help at the civil trial when the perp's Mommy's case is being argued by her ACLU attorney.