St. Cloud homeowner shoots, kills neighbor breaking into home

ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Deputies say a homeowner was in fear for his life when he shot and killed a man trying to break into his home.

The homeowner told investigators he shot the man twice during a struggle after the intruder has sneaked in through the back of his home.

Based on the circumstances of the incident, detectives did not charge the homeowner. Channel 9 isn't identifying the man since he is not facing charges.

The men were neighbors but didn't know each other.

There's a no-trespassing sign at the home where investigators said the Bo Garris, 30, lived.

“They're just trying to deal with everything that's going on,” said Jerry Hoffman, a friend of the man who shot Garris.

The homeowner heard a noise inside his screened-in back porch around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and grabbed a gun.

“They were enjoying a relaxing evening at home when this happened,” Hoffman said.

Investigators said Garris was trying to get into the home's kitchen and that he lunged at the homeowner, forcing the man to fire.

He shot a second time after Garris allegedly threw the homeowner down on a table.

“I can't fathom taking another man's life but I would do the same to defend my home and my family, too,” said Hoffman.

An Osceola County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said even though there were no arrests, the investigation is still ongoing.

Garris had a criminal history that included drug, battery and trespassing charges.

WFTV