A Florida police chief has responded to a homeowner shooting burglars in his home by issuing a warning to criminals that “most people are armed.”
On Friday, a Florida man with a concealed weapon permit arrived home and found two intruders burglarizing his Polk County residence.
The homeowner fired multiple rounds with his gun and struck one of the suspects before they both fled the scene.
During a Friday press conference, Haines City Police Chief Gregory Goreck said that crooks should see the incident as a warning.
“One should expect that if you are brazen enough to enter into someone’s residence and it is not yours, with intent to commit an unlawful act, there may be repercussions,” Goreck said.
“We live in Florida, and more so, we live in Polk County, and most people are armed,” he said.
After the burglars fled the Polk County home, officers from the Haines City Police Department were able to catch up with the injured suspect at a nearby park using a canine police officer.
“Immediately at that point the officers, even though this was a felon who had been illegally inside someone’s house, immediately changed focus and changed gears and went from a search and locate and apprehend to saving this individual’s life,” Goreck explained.
Welcome to Florida,
The FAFO state!Haines City (Polk County) Police Chief Gregory Goreck:
"We live in Florida, if you break into somebody’s house, you might end up getting shot.” 🥳🥳💪 pic.twitter.com/UZDgwct3fn
— Charles Weber (@CWBOCA) January 29, 2023
The injured suspect was identified as 27-year-old Tyriek Tramaine Washington.
Washington was hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds that are not believed to be life-threatening.
He has been charged with burglary and is being held at the Polk County Jail.
Authorities are still investigating the incident and attempting to locate the second suspect.
Police say the homeowner fully complied with police and answered all questions before officers determined he had legally defended his home.
READ MORE: Mom Shoots & Kills Home Invader to Protect Her Children
