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Police save burglar who was shot by homeowner in Haines City

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In a dramatic turn of events, police saved the life of an alleged burglar after he was shot by a homeowner in Haines City early Friday morning, authorities said.

Haines City Police Chief Goreck shared more information about the incident at a press conference Friday afternoon.

He said the homeowner and his girlfriend returned to the residence at about 1:45 a.m. and saw two strangers standing in the kitchen.

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Police said the homeowner, who has a permit to carry concealed weapons, drew his firearm and fired five rounds at the suspect closest to him.

The homeowner and his girlfriend fled the property with their puppy and called 911.

Police met the homeowner while he was driving to the station and questioned him. Goreck said he immediately surrendered the weapon and showed them his permit. He has been cooperating with the investigation, according to police, and is not facing charges at this time.

“Based on the totality of the evidence at this time, it does appear to be a case of Stand Your Ground,” Goreck said.

When police arrived at the residence, the suspects were nowhere to be found. Investigators collected five shell casings at the scene, and noticed a trail of blood droplets leading outside.

K9s picked up a scent and tracked one of the suspects about 100 yards away to Boomerang Park. He was found under a pavilion, suffering from four gunshot wounds.

“Even though this was a felon who had been illegally inside someone’s house, [police] immediately changed focused, changed gears, and went from a search and locate and apprehend, to saving this individual’s life,” Goreck said.

One officer rendered first aid and applied direct pressure to his wounds. Three other officers performed life-saving measures. One used a tourniquet on his leg to stop the bleeding.

“These four officers were able to save this individual’s life. They were able to stop the bleeding enough so that when he was finally airlifted to a trauma center—Osceola Regional Medical Center— that at this moment he’s still alive,” Goreck added.

Goreck said the man remains in critical but stable condition. Police were still working to identify the other suspect.

According to Goreck, the suspect who was injured is no stranger to law enforcement. His rap sheet includes arrests for grand and petit theft, burglary and loitering and prowling among other charges, Goreck said.

Police said he was found with some of the homeowner’s property. He faces charges of burglary to a residence and grand theft.

“One should expect that if you are brazen enough to enter into someone’s residence and it is not yours, with intent to commit an unlawful act, there maybe repercussions.” Goreck said. “We live in Florida, and more so, we live in Polk County, and most people are armed.”