POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Tina Phillip takes no chances.
She says her Haines City home is loaded with weapons like machetes, baseball bats, and even a bow and arrow.
Near her front door is a sign that's hard to miss.
“No stupid people beyond that point," it warns.
What just happened next door — at her nephew’s house — is the reason she’s so cautious.
“It’s awful," she said. "It’s terrible.”
According to the Haines City Police Department, her nephew came home around 1:30 a.m. Friday with his girlfriend and puppy. Chief Greg Goreck says when the homeowner entered his home and flipped the light switch, he saw two burglars standing in his kitchen. Scared for his and his girlfriend's safety, the homeowner — a legal gun owner — fired five shots from a 9mm handgun at the suspect closest to him.
“All of a sudden, there’s these two strangers standing inside your kitchen within feet of you, almost face to face," Goreck said.
According to Goreck, after shooting the suspect, the homeowner left his house to drive to the police department. While on the way there, the homeowner was stopped by the police who began interviewing him about the incident.
Meanwhile, at the scene of the burglary, Goreck says officers used a K9 to search for the two suspects, who he says were in the process of stealing jewelry from the home at the time they were interrupted by the homeowner. When officers arrived at the home on N. 7th St. neither of the men were immediately found.
Police later found one of the suspects, Tyriek Washington, 27, at a nearby park.
“He had four bullet wounds. Two in the chest and two in his lower extremities — his legs," the chief said.
Goreck said even though Washington had committed a felony, his officers had a duty to give him quick medical care. Three officers applied pressure to the gunshot wounds. Another used a tourniquet. The chief believes their actions saved his life.
“He is critical but stable, but he is still alive to today," Goreck said.
As for the homeowner, Goreck says he isn’t in trouble.
“Based on the totality of evidence at this time, it does appear to be a case of stand your ground," he said.
Ultimately, he hopes the case will discourage other would-be burglars.
“One should expect that if you’re brazen enough to enter into someone’s residence and it’s not yours with intent to commit an unlawful act, there may be repercussions," he said. "We live in Florida, and moreso, we live in Polk County, and most people are armed.”
Goreck says the department is still trying to identify the second suspect.
According to authorities, Washington was charged with burglary of a residence, a second-degree felony and grand theft, a third-degree felony and has a previous arrest history.
As for Philip, she's grateful her nephew is alright.
“He’s all shook up. He’s a nervous wreck," she said. “I’m just so happy that my nephew didn’t get hurt, because it could have been bad.”
