FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — A homeowner defended himself early Saturday morning after an intruder broke into his residence and refused to leave, ultimately forcing the resident to fire in self-defense.
According to the local media, Fort Lauderdale Police responded to reports of a shooting at a home on the 2300 block of Northwest 13th Court around 3 a.m. Investigators determined that the homeowner had encountered a burglar inside the house and ordered him to leave. When the intruder refused to comply, the homeowner fired his firearm, striking the suspect.
Paramedics transported the wounded suspect to Broward Health Medical Center with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those involved or confirmed whether the suspect will face charges.
Stand Your Ground and Home Defense
This case is a clear example of a homeowner legally using force to protect himself inside his own home. Florida law, under the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground statutes, generally supports a person’s right to use force—including deadly force—against an intruder who unlawfully enters their dwelling and poses a threat.
The key takeaway from this incident is that the homeowner first attempted to de-escalate the situation by ordering the suspect to leave. When the suspect refused, the homeowner took defensive action within his legal rights. This reinforces an important principle of home defense: while verbal warnings and deterrence are always preferred, homeowners must be prepared to act decisively if an intruder refuses to back down.
Firearm owners should always ensure they understand their state’s self-defense laws and be trained in home defense tactics to protect themselves and their families effectively.
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