Teen defending his home grabs gun and shoots suspected intruder, Florida cops say

A teenager defending his family’s home pulled a gun and shot a suspected intruder — who also proved to be a teenager, according to investigators in Florida.

The suspect survived and is hospitalized, the Tampa Police Department reported in a Dec. 1 news release. His identity has not been released.

Investigators say he appeared uninvited inside a home on 109th Avenue at around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1. Maps show the neighborhood is populated by single family homes and churches.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, a male in his mid-teens, unlawfully entered an occupied residence when there was a confrontation with a teen who was inside the home,” police said.

“The teen resident shot the suspect who then fled from the residence,” according to police. “The suspect was found nearby with a gunshot wound and taken to the hospital.”

Details of the confrontation and seriousness of the injuries suffered by the suspect were not released. He is listed in stable condition, officials said.

A firearm was recovered at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing “and charges are pending,” police said.

This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 9:39 AM with the headline "Teen defending his home grabs gun and shoots suspected intruder, Florida cops say."