That backfired! Moment Florida trespassers are shot at by man after pushing into his home and pushing him to the ground as police reveal homeowner will NOT be charged
- A homeowner will not be charged with shooting at three men who tried to break into his home on July 7, a Florida sheriff says
- Three suspects attempted to gain entry to the Pensacola home
- But they were hit with gunfire when the homeowner started shooting at them
- The sheriff said the homeowner has the right to defend himself and his home
- Da’Torrance Hackworth, 20, and Antonio Dewayne Dean Jr., 18, were arrested
- Police are looking for Joseph Roman Sanders, 18, and a possible fourth suspect
A Florida Sheriff says a homeowner “absolutely not” faces charges after he shot at least two intruders during a harrowing burglary.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office released footage from a ring camera showing the suspected intruders entering the Pensacola home on July 7 after the homeowner opened the door.
The homeowner, who cannot be seen on camera and whose name has not been released, was armed with a handgun.
But he dropped it during the scuffle, MPs said. He then ran to the back of his house, where he grabbed another gun and started firing.
An explosion of gunfire is heard on video and the three suspects flee the home and to a vehicle where a fourth suspect, who appeared to be armed, was waiting and they drove away.
Da’Torrance Hackworth, 20, and Antonio Dewayne Dean Jr., 18, have been arrested and face charges of trespassing and illegal possession of firearms.
A third suspect, Joseph Roman Sanders, 18, is still at large and lawmakers are still trying to identify the fourth suspect. His image was captured on crystal clear security footage.
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The video shows the suspects outside the Florida residence on July 7
The homeowner was armed with a gun when he opened the door but dropped it in the scuffle. He grabbed another one from his home and video captures the moment he releases a round of bullets
Da’Torrance Hackworth was one of the suspected intruders
Antonio Dewayne Dean Jr. was also arrested after the horrific burglary
A third suspect, Joseph Roman Sanders, 18, is still at large and lawmakers are still trying to identify the fourth suspect
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said the homeowner will not be charged for shooting the suspects because he has the right to protect himself and his home.
“So those you might ask, is the homeowner charged with shooting at these people? Absolutely not,” Sheriff Simmons told Fox News.
“The homeowner protects himself, and in Florida and Escambia County, you can protect yourself.”
Simmons supported homeowners’ right to defend themselves.
“If someone breaks into my front door and storms in and attacks me or my family, they will be shot,” Simmons added. “I show the same consideration to the residents of my county.”
When the homeowner unlocks the door, two of the suspects crowd inside
Another suspect was seen near the car they used to flee the scene
The home invasion occurred on the night of July 7 at the 700 block of Pinestead Road in Pensacola.
Footage released from the sheriff’s office shows the suspects gathered outside, talking to each other while waiting for the homeowner to answer the door.
The sheriff’s office said three of the suspects approached the door and two of the men burst in as the homeowner unlocked and opened the door.
The homeowner was armed with a pistol but dropped it during the invasion. He ran to the back of the house for another gun and began firing at the intruders, who frantically fled the scene.
The shooting deterred the suspects, who fled the scene in a nearby vehicle
Hackworth and Dean Jr. were arrested on a firearm charge for use/display of a firearm during a felony, possession of a firearm by a criminal, theft, grand larceny of a firearm, and robbery/burglary.
Sanders – who has not yet been arrested – is facing a home invasion involving a firearm.
Authorities are still trying to identify a fourth suspect.
