A Florida man is in custody after authorities say he chased down and shot a suspected burglar who was begging for his life, the Associated Press and local outlets report.
The shooting happened Tuesday in North Miami Dade. According to authorities, Corthoris, 28, was playing video games in his apartment when a man named Xavier broke in. Police say Corthoris grabbed an assault style rifle and chased Xavier, who was unarmed, out of the apartment.
Authorities say that more than 580 feet from the apartment, Xavier was on his knees and pleaded for his life. “He begins to, what appears to be, to beg for his life,” Miami Dade Detective Iry Watson told a judge Wednesday. “But the defendant takes the assault rifle and shoots him multiple times.”
Officers found Corthoris walking away from the scene a short time later. Police say he surrendered his weapon right away and cooperated.
According to reports, Corthoris first said he had “blacked out” and could not recall the shooting. At the Wednesday hearing he acknowledged the shooting but disputed the prosecution’s account. “I didn’t shoot him while he was on the ground,” he told Miami Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer. “I’m the victim, ma’am.”
Judge Glazer did not agree. “You’re the victim of a potential burglary, but you can’t just go around shooting people,” she said, and advised him not to speak without his lawyer present. She also agreed with prosecutors that the shooting was premeditated.
As of Friday, Xavier remained hospitalized, and authorities had not yet been able to hear his side of the story.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
Corthoris is being held without bond and is charged with attempted murder in the first degree. The charge is an allegation, and he has not been convicted.
