A Florida man is facing criminal charges for shooting a suspected teen burglar in the back as he tried to flee, authorities said.
Chad Edward Locke, 51, called 911 after shooting the 16-year-old suspect he saw burglarizing a neighbor’s car outside his Gainesville home at about 2 a.m. Monday, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
Locke told investigators he was “watching television and monitoring his exterior surveillance cameras” when he spotted someone burglarizing his neighbor’s car across the street, according to an arrest report obtained by The Post.
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Locke, who was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, told investigators he only saw a flashlight in the teen’s hands — and not a weapon. He decided to shoot the suspected burglar due to “fear” that the teen would come at him, according to the report.
Florida man charged for shooting suspected teen burglar in back (nypost.com)
Questions for the forum:
Is it legal in Florida (or anywhere) to use deadly force in respect of preventing a theft or destruction of property?
Is it legal in Florida to defend a third person's property if does not belong to a member of his or her immediate family or household or of a person whose property he or she has a legal duty to protect?
Does Locke have a legitimate claim of self-defense?
Hint:
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us)