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The mindset that the homeowner shot the criminal in an effort to protect his property rather than his person is a mindset very similar to that which sustains the anti crowd. None of us can know exactly what the homeowner’s thoughts, impressions and fears were as he investigated the commotion, so claiming he could have as easily retreated to cover while calling 911 is ludicrous.
It would be real nice if the home invader indicated to his victims up front that he really just wants the VCR, notebook and iPod. But since they are rarely so forthcoming and have already demonstrated the fact that they are brazen, violent criminals, I think shooting them is the most prudent course of action and criticizing someone else for doing so is naive at best.
It is unfortunate that someone lost their life and the fact it was a kid makes it no easier to stomach, but the kid felt little risk in doing what he did because society tolerates all sorts of abuse of law-abiding citizens while often protecting the abusers. And society behaves in this manner due in part to the mindset referenced above.
This shooting, as far as can be determined by the available evidence, was not only legally justified; it was morally justified.
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grym
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