A Florida resident was forced to defend his home on Thursday evening, when two masked intruders attempted a break-in.
The homeowner, quick to react, fatally shot one of the invaders, as reported by WTVT-TV.
According to The Blaze, the incident unfolded around 9 p.m. in the Lakewood Ranch area, a peaceful neighborhood located approximately half an hour northeast of Sarasota. The Manatee County Sheriffs Office confirmed the details of the event, which began when the homeowner's surveillance system detected unusual movement on the property.
Sheriff Rick Wells, in a news conference held the following morning, praised the homeowner's swift response. "The homeowner is a hero!" Wells declared. The homeowner had spotted the two masked men, instructed his wife to seek safety, and armed himself.
The intruder who was shot multiple times was rushed to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning. Sheriff Wells, in his address, reminded potential criminals of the potential consequences of their actions. "This is the state of Florida," he stated. "If you want to break into someone's home, you should expect to be shot."
The second intruder, identified as Michel Soto-Mella, 39, was apprehended a few blocks away from the scene by K9 units. Soto-Mella, a Chilean national, was reportedly in the U.S. illegally, having overstayed his 90-day visa that expired in September. Details about the deceased suspect remain undisclosed.
Sheriff Wells indicated that while Soto-Mella is somewhat cooperative, he is not revealing all the details. "We're trying to get everything that we can from the [surviving] suspect," Wells said. "He's being somewhat cooperative, but he's not telling us everything."
The incident has sparked a wave of support for the homeowner on social media, with many applauding his actions in defending his home and family.
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