Hillsborough County, Florida

From TampaBay.com of November 27, 2006

Resident shoots intruder

A Hillsborough County man shot and critically injured an intruder in his home early Monday morning.

A couple who lives at 286 W. State Road 60 found the intruder at around 1 a.m. when they returned home after being out of town for a few a days, according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. As the woman was calling 911, the man fired a shot at the intruder.

The intruder was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.

The names of those involved were not being released.

From the November 29, 2006 Lakeland, Florida Ledger:

A Plant City man shot an intruder who slipped into his family's home as they unpacked from a trip, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

John Kilgore, 57, his wife, Cynthia, 43, and their two sons, 14 and 16, returned to their home at 286 W State Road 60 about 1 a.m. Monday after several days away, deputies say.

The home is protected by a gate and a sign for a security dog, but the family left a door unlocked as they brought in luggage, and a 23-year-old burglar walked inside, said sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter.

As Mrs. Kilgore called 911, her husband shot the burglar, firing once and hitting him in the torso, Carter said.

Emergency crews took the intruder to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition Monday afternoon, Carter said. Deputies did not release the man's name.

From the St. Petersburg Times of January 5, 2007

Intruder dies; no charges in home invasion shooting

An intruder shot by a Plant City homeowner has died of his injuries, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Noe Alvarez-Ramirez, 20, was shot Nov. 27 by John Kilgore, 57, deputies say. Alvarez-Ramirez died of his injuries Dec. 31 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Detectives have no plan to file charges against Kilgore.

Alvarez-Ramirez broke into the Kilgore's home near Plant City, and Kilgore's wife, Cynthia, 43, found the intruder in the couple's bedroom, deputies say. Cynthia Kilgore took the couple's two sons, 14 and 16, into another bedroom, and her husband shot Alvarez-Ramirez.

The ability to use deadly force to protect a home stems from a common-law principle known as the "castle doctrine," which allows such force if people are attacked in their homes or cars.