“I’m proud of our homeowner for defending himself,” Judd added. “It’s called a ‘Castle Doctrine.’ He has the right to protect himself and his home from unknown intruders.”
“He had a gun, he knew how to use it, it was loaded, and he shot him a lot,” Judd said. “He gave him an early Christmas present. Only Santa Claus gets to come in your house — and Santa Claus is invited.”
According to police, the homeowner says an intruder tossed a flower pot through the glass French doors of the home in an attempt to gain entry from the back porch. The homeowner then shot the intruder three times.
Police arrived on the scene and found 42-year-old Steven Stillwell shot on the living room floor. Stillwell was rushed to the hospital and was in critical, but stable condition.
A shotgun belonging to Stillwell was found laying on the ground in the backyard of the home.
According to PCSO, the suspect has an extensive arrest history, with 14 felonies and five misdemeanors, including multiple burglaries and larcenies, DUI, drug possession, dealing in stolen property, fraud, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a weapon/ammunition by a convicted felon. He also has 11 re-arrest charges, with multiple violations of probation.
