Tampa Man Shoots Would-Be Home Invasion Robber Armed With Knife
An article about a man who used his legal firearm to stop a crime caught the eyes of our West Palm Beach firearms crimes criminal defense attorneys. According to a May 14 article in the St. Petersburg Times, Preston Taylor, 35, scared off an intended home invasion robber the day before using his legal firearm. The robber, who got away, was armed with a knife when he knocked on Taylor’s door and announced that he was going to rob the home. Despite receiving a minor stab wound to the hand, Taylor retrieved his handgun and fired several times at the invader. Tampa police are asking for help finding the suspect, described as a young-sounding black man with light eyes, about 5’8” with a thin build.
Taylor and his wife had just said goodbye to a guest about five minutes earlier when a knock came at the door. Taylor answered it, thinking the guest had returned. Instead, he saw a man dressed all in black, with a black cloth wrapped around his head, and armed with a silver kitchen knife. The man said he was going to rob Taylor. Taylor managed to shut the door on the man, but not before sustaining a knife wound to his hand. Once the door was shut, the would-be invader started breaking a window next to the door, prompting Taylor to run for his handgun. He fired several shots at the man, who fled north down an alley and got into a car. Police said the car was a black four-door Honda from the late 1990s, with a loud muffler and possibly a lowered suspension. Tampa police would welcome anonymous online tips on the suspect.
This is exactly the sort of situation that makes legal firearms a necessity. Rather than waiting untold minutes for the police, Taylor was able to take the situation in hand and protect his family because he had a firearm and understood how to use it. As Miami-Dade gun crimes criminal defense lawyers, we’re very glad law-abiding people like him still have the right to use their weapons. Florida law makes it very clear that Taylor and people like him will not be charged with a crime, thanks in part to the “castle doctrine,” now expanded thanks to the state’s “stand your ground law.” In essence, Florida residents who are the victims of home invasions like this are permitted to use deadly force if they believe they or others are endangered by the invader. There is no duty to leave the home rather than shoot, and now, there is no duty to retreat on the street.
At Law offices of Sebastian John Balliro, P.A., we are proud to say that we’re NRA referral attorneys who believe in the Second Amendment. Understandable concern about guns in the wrong hands has led to anti-gun hysteria that chips away at our civil rights, allowing people to be criminally charged even when they follow the law. Our Fort Lauderdale weapons crimes defense attorneys defend people accused of all types of firearms crimes, including serious, violent crimes like assault and battery as well as “status” crimes like possession. We also represent gun owners and businesspeople in civil matters related to firearms, such as CCW permits and appeals, expunctions of records and matters before the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Balliro offers free, confidential consultations, so you can speak with us at no further obligation or risk. To set up a free consultation, please send us an email or call 1-866-FIREARMS toll-free from anywhere in Florida.
