WEST PALM BEACH, FL – A child sex offender wanted for shooting a sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed by an armed homeowner when he broke into a West Palm Beach home early Saturday morning, according to the West Palm Beach Police Department.
The suspect broke a window at the home and climbed inside around 4 a.m. When the unlucky burglar turned on the bedroom light, the couple sleeping inside were awakened.
The couple, a 44-year-old man and 53-year-old woman, confronted the intruder, and resulted “in the intruder being shot by one of the residents,” according to the West Palm Beach Police Department.
Florida suspected home intruder shot, killed after awakening sleeping residents https://t.co/ARsKDZVB8S #FoxNews Great job this is going to be happening a lot. Liberals democrats don't want to lock these animals up. So it's up to us to put them down for good.
— Jim (@Jimwelsh20) February 15, 2022
The man was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where he later died, police said. The man’s name has not been released. The couple were not injured during the incident.
Police said the investigation is ongoing but have determined the intruder was not connected to the residents.
In another case of an armed homeowner stopping an intruder occurred today in Florida. The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office said that a suspect was killed during a home invasion in Steinhatchee, and that the suspect’s body was found near the same car that was listed in the Blue Alert.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) confirmed during Wednesday afternoon’s press conference that the home invasion suspect was Gregory Miedema, suspected of having shot a deputy in north Florida.
The special agent in charge said the homeowner was shot while protecting himself during the break-in. The homeowner was taken to a hospital in the area with minor injuries and is “expected to be released soon,” according to a report in local news outlet WCTV.
Miedema, a registered sex offender, was accused of shooting and injuring Deputy Troy Andersen during a traffic stop around 9:30 p.m. on February 22. The deputy was shot multiple times and was flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett said Andersen is undergoing reconstructive surgery on his face. He thanked the community for its support and asked for continued prayers for Andersen and his family.
BREAKING:
Convicted Pedophile Who Shot Police Officer in Florida and Triggered Statewide Manhunt Breaks Into Resident's Home, Shot and Killed by Homeowner
Gregory Ryan Miedema, 33 pic.twitter.com/DQgxGEIcFm
— An Open Secret (@AnOpenSecret) February 23, 2022
Sheriff Padgett said:
“Everything is going in a good direction. Troy is a valued employee of the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.”
Vergil Morgan, who is Andersen’s uncle, has released the following statement for the family:
“After consulting with Troy’s wife and our family members, we ask that you continue your prayers for Officer Andersen. He is in stable condition.
“Any questions you may have should be directed to the TCSO Spokesperson in Perry Fl. Thank you to the thousands who have reached out across social media, phone and messaging with encouragement and prayer.”
WCTV confirmed Miedema, 33, is a registered sex offender in the state of Florida. According to FDLE records, he was convicted of intercourse with a minor in 2011 as well as possession of child pornography. The FDLE also states he was convicted under the court jurisdiction of the U.S. Military in Hawaii.
Woman, 23, tries to lead ‘squad’ in a home invasion – runs into a guy who is really good with guns
January 16, 2022
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO- On January 11th, at approximately 3:23 a.m., St. Louis County Police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for shots fired in the 300 block of Lancashire Road.
That’s where they located 23-year-old Shabria Furlow suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said that Furlow was one of several people “attempting to commit a robbery/home invasion” at the residence. Security video recorded the hail of gunfire shots that left the one woman dead.
The video shows someone turn around in a yard and start shooting at someone who then returned fire. Furlow was killed as bullets ripped through the home.
Numerous bullet holes can be seen in the home and the glass on one door was completely shattered. The security footage has been turned over to detectives.
According to St. Louis Today, the woman was allegedly trying to rob an acquaintance of hers in the home invasion when she was killed. Prosecutors stated that the man who fatally shot Furlow will not face any charges and have deemed it a justified homicide.
Christopher King, a spokesman for the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney’s office, said in a statement:
“It’s just legitimate self-defense. There’s not evidence of a crime.”
Sgt. Tracy Panus of the St. Louis County Police Department said that Furlow, of Bridgeton, was among several people trying to commit a robbery or home invasion.
King said that Furlow knew the man who shot and killed her.
He said that they knew each other from Arkansas, where Furlow has many relatives. The man who shot her was visiting the home on Lancashire and reportedly did not live there.
King said that Furlow approached the home with four men, two of them carrying guns.
Police have not yet caught the men who were with Furlow, so they do not have their motive for the confrontation. King added:
“She shows up with a number of armed males.”
Detectives believe Shabria Furlow was one of several people who were trying to steal from a home early Tuesday morning. https://t.co/kdJgMeknfL
— KSDK News (@ksdknews) January 12, 2022
After the fatal shooting, detectives questioned the man.
Panus stated that the man was cooperative with detectives. The detectives then turned their findings over to the St. Louis County prosecutor, Wesley Bell, whose office decided not to file charges.
King said that both the detective and the assistant prosecutor agreed that it was a case of self-defense.
Currently, under Missouri’s self-defense law, known as the Castle Doctrine, people who encounter an intruder in their homes are given more leeway using deadly force.
The law reportedly allows the person to use that force without fear of being charged or sued. Authorities did not release the name of the man who killed Furlow because he was not arrested or charged.
Furlow, who went by the nickname Bria, lived in the 3900 block of Brittany Circle Drive in Bridgeton. Court records show no criminal history in Missouri for the 23-year-old – only a speeding ticket issued in Creve Coeur in March 2021.
Gunfire caught on camera moments before woman found murdered https://t.co/ZdDwEyOktO
— KPLR11 (@KPLR11) January 12, 2022
Her uncle Mark Johnson of Blytheville, Arkansas said that she was the mother of two children. Johnson said relatives are trying to cope with her death and the allegation that she had been involved in a crime. He said:
“It’s tough on us right now.”
Police are actively looking for the two armed men. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak to investigators.
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