A Florida politician shot a man as he tried to enter his home while fleeing from police officers.
Palmetto city commissioner Brian Williams saw Avelino Misreal Vasquez-Perez hiding in his garage and when he confronted the man, Perez reportedly tried to rush past him into his home, resulting in the elected official opening fire.
Officers had tried to stop Vasquez-Perez, who was driving recklessly, and he crashed into a neighbor’s home while trying to flee, Palmetto Chief of Police Scott Tyler told the newspaper.
More from the Miami Herald:
Vasquez-Perez and his passenger ran from the crash, but officers were able to quickly catch his passenger. As police set up a perimeter around the neighborhood looking for him, Vasquez-Perez climbed a fence into Palmetto Commissioner Brian Williams’ backyard and broke into the garage of his home in an apparent attempt to hide from police.
Williams’ daughter, who lives next door, spotted Vasquez-Perez and called her dad. Williams armed himself, then heard Vasquez-Perez trying to get into the kitchen from the garage. Vasquez-Perez was then confronted by Williams at gunpoint. Vasquez-Perez attempted to push past and punch Williams, who then pushed Vasquez-Perez back and shot him twice, according to Tyler.
Vasquez-Perez was rushed to a local hospital and underwent surgery. He is expected to recover from his injuries.
Williams is not expected to face any charges, with Tyler saying that he was “lawfully defending home and family.”
“We find it was lawful, it was proper, it is self-defense,” the police chief told WFLA. “He’s in his own home. He’s in his kitchen. Basically, defending from someone coming in the kitchen, so he’s got a right and he’s got a responsibility to defend his home and his family and he did that.”
“I am glad that everything turned out the way it did. I guess he is doing OK and we are happy and glad that no one in my family was hurt,” Williams said of the incident.
At least, until the lawyers get involved.
But then, outspoken conservative actor James Woods had a ready solution to that potential dilemma.
“Always empty the magazine in these situations. This way you won’t have two home invaders in your life, the bad guy AND the #ACLU suing you…” he tweeted, in response to the story.
Always empty the magazine in these situations. This way you won’t have two home invaders in your life, the bad guy AND the #ACLU suing you… https://t.co/GtI0aA8MVq
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) December 30, 2018
The tweet prompted plenty of debate over that prospect and whether it would result in more trouble for a homeowner or not.
Here’s a sampling of the responses from Twitter:
Saved the State he expense of a long chase.
— Loel Larzelere (@KokopelliAZ) December 30, 2018
2 in the chest one in the head repeat
— JB (@JbCommanche) December 30, 2018
This happened in my area and we’ve had a few of these shootings recently on the Suncoast area. Love stand your ground
— just your normal guy (@manateenative) December 30, 2018
Tell the police I was in fear for mine or my family’s life.
— JRock (@rock10_j) December 30, 2018
One side of the story always makes it easier on the good guy.
— John Fitchjarrell (@Jfitchjr) December 30, 2018
Stop the threat. Whatever it takes.
— Dave Acker (@DaveAckerRider) December 30, 2018
Yep, and no one to lie against you in court.
— Vincent Black (@BlackStormRages) December 30, 2018
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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