SORRENTO, Fla. -- A Lake County homeowner caught a burglar breaking into his trailer so he shot and killed the crook. Eyewitness News learned the homeowner won't face any charges.

He says he caught the crook on his property on Spring Hill Avenue (see map) in Sorrento.

The homeowner was protecting more than just his home, officers say, he was protecting himself.

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AT THE SCENE: Images Of Homeowner, Cops

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The homeowner knew that somebody had broken into his trailer because an alarm that he had installed went off.

At around 3:30am Thursday, three gunshots blasted in the normally quiet community.

"He felt he was threatened. Didn't know how many other people were around. He was defending himself. He was scared for his life," neighbor Ron Schroeder said.

Schroeder is a good friend of Shane Biel. Lake County sheriff's detectives say Biel shot and killed a burglar, 23-year-old Brett Lee Canada, who used bolt cutters to break into his property.

“Detectives have recently arrested him in the area for similar type crimes," Sergeant John Herrell said.

Back in August Canada was arrested for stealing lawn-mowing equipment and that's what deputies say he was after this time. Biel has a trailer full of lawn equipment for his business.

The homeowner told investigators that Canada lunged at him so he opened fire.

Detectives say the story checks out and under a Florida law called the Castle Doctrine, a person can defend themselves and their family in their home.

"Hey, the guy entered. That's what we move to America for. We protect our stuff," neighbor Scott Tobin said.

Biel did not want to talk about what happened. Ron Schroeder says his friend was protecting his family and he hopes this will send a message to the thieves out there.

"You guys know. You watch the news. It happens all the time. You pay the price," Schroeder said.

Neighbors say just a matter of weeks ago, thieves stole some of Biel's lawn care equipment and that's why he installed the alarm.

Detectives aren't sure if Canada was also responsible for that theft.