A Polk County man, John Coles, recounted the tense moments when he shot an alleged home invader in Lake Wales. The incident, which unfolded late Tuesday night, ended with the intruder, 34-year-old Cameron McGuire, in custody and receiving medical treatment for a gunshot wound to the leg, as reported by WFLA.
According to Coles, the ordeal started when his dog's barking awoke him by around half-past eleven in the night after which he spotted someone peering down the steps of his residence, the figure, later identified by police, was Cameron McGuire whom had apparently broken in through the kitchen window, according to FOX 13 News. The startled homeowner armed himself and faced the intruder, the confrontation leading to McGuire getting shot in the leg and thereafter, Coles held him at gunpoint until the authorities arrived upon his 911 call.
McGuire, who police say was released from state prison as recently as February and has an "extensive" criminal history, is now facing charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and theft. Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez stated, "This homeowner is a law-abiding citizen and had every right to protect his family," as "Cameron McGuire should be thankful today that he is alive and in jail," indicating the gravity of the situation and the homeowner's legal stance in a statement obtained by FOX 13 News.
Meanwhile, Criminal Defense Attorney Bryant Camareno, not affiliated with the case, spoke on the rights and responsibilities of homeowners in such predicaments highlighting the balance between self-protection and the deliberation required when using a firearm he said, "You absolutely have the right to bear arms. That’s number one. Number two, I have the right to protect my home, my family, my own personal safety. That’s a God-given right," further, "If there isn’t an opportunity to pause and think, I would imagine that speaks for itself, you may have to shoot. But if there’s time to pause and think and you shoot and they’re hurt or you kill someone, then that may not be justified." as per an interview with WFLA.
The Lake Wales Police Department also cautioned residents to secure their homes by locking all windows and doors to prevent such incidents, as Lt. Emmanuel Figueroa stressed the right of individuals "to be able to defend themselves and their family and arm themselves and defend themselves in their home from any intruder," as reported by WFLA.
