A Florida homeowner won’t receive any legal punishment for shooting an “AK-47-style gun” at alleged home intruders.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons says three men entered a man’s home a little before midnight on July 7. The homeowner was there when the intruders came into the home. Fox News reports the man pulled out a handgun from his waistband but then dropped it. He then went to go get another gun, which was described as an “AK-47-style gun.” At the same time, the suspects picked up the weapon the homeowner dropped.
Before leaving the home, the homeowner fired off his gun.
“He started shooting for his own protection, to get them out of his house and to protect himself,” said Simmons during a recorded video statement. Two of the men have been identified as 18-year-old Antonio DeWayne Dean Jr. and 20-year-old Da’Torrance Leanders Hackworth. The third suspect has yet to be named; it was documented that the suspect was injured by a nonfatal gunshot wound to the head.
Simmons says the homeowner would “absolutely not” face any charges for firing shots. “The homeowner’s protecting himself. And in Florida, in Escambia County, you can protect yourself,” said Simmons.
