Orange County, Florida

From Orlando’s WFTV.com of March 26, 2006

Man Shoots Teen Who Was Allegedly Breaking Into Car

An Orange County man shot one teen and tackled another after, he said, they tried to break into his car. Deputies were questioning the man to see if he used the weapon in self-defense

Deputies said they received a 9-1-1 call Sunday morning from a home on Capanella Avenue and Raleigh Street. A woman reported her car was being broken into. Then, she said, her boyfriend was going outside with a gun. When deputies arrived, he had shot one suspect and tackled another.

Michael Graham was determined to protect his car. He confronted the 15- and 14-year-old suspected auto burglars as, he said, they tried to get inside an Acura.

"I see him struggling in his car. I said, 'You alright, you alright?' And he said, 'No, somebody is trying to break in my car,'" explained neighbor Darrell Owens.

After a brief struggle, Graham's gun went off. He shot the 15-year-old in the back of his leg. The teen briefly got away. Meanwhile, Graham caught up to the other teen and tackled him.

Deputies took 14-year-old Capree Patterson into custody. They then followed a blood trail and found the 15-year-old laying a few blocks away. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Deputies were still investigating. But if the homeowner's story is true, he had every right to shoot the teen.

"If he felt threatened, yes, there's someone in his car, or on his property, he may be okay," said Comm. Denise Demps-Rollins, Orange County Sheriff's Office.

The 15-year-old's name is not being released. He has non-life threatening injuries.

Deputies were also investigating to see if the teen tried to steal another car earlier Sunday morning.