A Texas homeowner shot at two suspected car burglars last week after his security camera woke him.
Around 3:00 in the morning, the two suspects approached the vehicle. A security camera alerted the homeowner, waking him up.
AK Versus Car Burglars
According to KSAT 12, the homeowner armed himself with “an AK-style rifle.” His wife also armed herself.
The two entered their apartment complex garage, confronting the burglars.
In a police report, the homeowner said he saw a firearm on one of the strangers. He fired his gun, shooting one suspect in the back.
Suspects
Police said the two burglars left in a car. Later, someone came into the hospital with a life-threatening gunshot wound to the back. Police believe this might be one of their suspects.
According to KSAT 12, the suspect has not cooperated with police.
The identities of those involved are not currently public. Police are continuing to investigate. Charges will be announced once the situation is better understood.
Vehicle Crime On The Uptick
According to FBI data, car theft and vehicle crime have increased in the last few years. Most of these crimes are committed by teens.
In 2019, the FBI reported 199.4 car crimes per 100,000 people. The number of incidents increased to 283.5 incidents per 100,000 people in 2023. That’s a 40% increase over four years.
Defending A Car
Defense of life and defense of property often fall under different rules. Deadly force, the use of guns, is strongly discouraged in the protection of any property besides a home.
However, The Castle Doctrine in Texas does provide a loophole that may have just saved our homeowner.
According to VersusTexas.com, there are circumstances where you can shoot in defense of your property.
It must first happen at night. The homeowner must believe that deadly force (using a gun) is the ONLY way they can retrieve their property. OR they must believe that they will come to harm while protecting their property without the use of that gun.
Should The Homeowner Have Shot The Car Burglars?
This car burglary happened at night, so that requirement is met. We do not know if the homeowner had any other way to protect his property.
If the car burglars were armed, the homeowner would believe he was about to be harmed.
Again, we will not know if the courts will agree with this homeowner’s actions until charges are announced.
Conclusion
In the long run though, shooting over a car burglary is likely to get you in trouble. Texas is one of the more pro-shooting states, and it still has very specific rules.
READ MORE: Missouri Homeowner Fatally Shoots Burglar, Receives No Charges
Every state is going to have slightly different ideas of what is ok and what isn’t.
One of the best things you can do to prepare yourself is to know the law. Do your research on the self-defense laws in your state.
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