Man arrested after shooting juvenile who was burglarizing a neighbor’s car
Press release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
On September 13, 2021, shortly after 2 a.m., deputies responded to the 7800 block of SW 53rd Place in Valwood subdivision in reference to a report of a shooting. Chad Locke, 51, was in his home monitoring his surveillance camera system when he saw someone in the act of burglarizing his neighbor’s vehicle. Mr. Locke armed himself with a handgun and went outside to investigate and confront the subject, who, upon being discovered, tried to flee.
Mr. Locke shot the burglar in the back and then called 911 to report the incident. The investigation into whether Mr. Locke’s actions would constitute self-defense revealed that the subject never made overt or hostile actions or statements that would create a well-founded fear, nor did Mr. Locke observe the subject in possession of any weapons. Mr. Locke was arrested for aggravated battery with a firearm and transported to the Alachua County Jail. The burglar, who is a juvenile, was transported to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.
So they arrested the Good Guy instead of the punk thief?
Ummmm, he had right to shoot someone fleeing. There was no immediate threat to him. He is lucky he didn’t get charged with attempted murder. You obviously know absolutely nothing about our gun laws.
You don’t try to kill someone because they are breaking into cars that’s like giving them the death penalty especially when they are running away people are very trigger happy these days
And people are very happy to take your carv. like is ok. Sorry. But he deserved been shot
You really are a POS.
ITS WASN’T EVEN YOUR CAR YET A CHILD WAS SHOT… WOW
The kid was wrong but you don’t shoot anyone in the back. The second he seen the kid in the cameras that’s when he should have called 911 and the neighbor and then if he wanted go outside.
Need to thin the herd – starting with the low-lifes, thieves, and drug addicts! The “justice” system refuses to do it, so it’s time for righteous people to step-up and show that we will no longer tolerate such behavior.
We should start a Go Fund Me page to help this poor guy!
Every right has corresponding responsibilities. Gun owners bear many responsibilities. Prominent among these is the requirement to understand the firearms statutes. Mr. Locke probably thought that he was doing the right thing, but he obviously was unfamiliar with the legal justifications for the use of deadly force. His life will now be forever changed for the worse.
If the burglar had been armed, Mr. Locke could be dead now. I doubt that risking one’s life to protect a neighbor’s property is a wise decision. In that scenario, it’s best to capture relevant details and call the police.
By all means, if so inclined obtain firearms for defense of person and property. But having a gun does not make a person tougher, a hero, or worthy of respect. Those attributes stem from preparation, study, practice, and levelheadedness under pressure.