It can happen even in a "very quiet, peaceful" neighborhood: someone with a history of violence breaks into a home, and by their behavior makes it clear that they have aggressive intent. What would you do? If you believe in firearm prohibition, what do you think this family should have done instead?
Yet on the other hand, reading Facebook comments about this story, the glee with which many people are treating this incident is disturbing. This was a human life which went wrong, and that calls for sober reflection. How did Mitchell Large come to be such a broken human being? Why was someone with a history of violence not under closer supervision? How did we reach the point where the best thing to do with this person was to shoot them?
Winter Haven family opens fire, kills would-be intruder
Winter Haven, FL -- In short, say Winter Haven police, 40-year-old Mitchell Large messed with the wrong house.
Three members of the Pena family- Luis, his wife and adult son- all armed themselves shortly before 7:00 Monday morning after awakening to the sound of someone on their back porch.
"It appears at least two of the family members fired in defense of themselves and their property," said Winter Haven police Chief Chief Hester.