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BSO: Homeowner Shot Burglary Suspect, Shooting Likely "Justifiable"

OAKLAND PARK (CBS4 ) - A burglary suspect who was shot by a homeowner is in the hospital recovering from his injuries, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office. BSO says the shooting appears to be justified, as the homeowner was "defending himself."

The homeowner who fired his weapon says he is a 73 year old retired teacher who had never fired his gun before. From inside his home he told reporters Wednesday night that he wishes he wouldn't have had to shoot but said he needed to protect himself and his neighbor who was trying to help him.

The homeowner who tried not to shows his face and would only speak behind the blinds of a window broken out by the accused thief, said he went right for his gun when the suspect broke in.

"He was in my house, invading my house and I had no idea what his intentions were," the homeowner said.

Broward Sheriff's investigators say Kevin Madigan, 44, from Boca Raton burst into the victim's Oakland Park home Wednesday afternoon while the homeowner was inside. The homeowner ran to get his gun and when he returned he says the thief was outside with a stolen television trying to get a cellphone from a female neighbor who was reporting the crime to 911.

"He was physically tussling with her," the homeowner said.

The homeowner says he squeezed off several shots, hitting the suspect. BSO says the accused burglar drove off, got some gas from a nearby resident then smashed his car about a mile away from the victim's home. BSO says Madigan was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and will face charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling, grand theft and strong arm robbery.

The homeowner says he's struggling with the fact that he opened fire on someone but says he had no choice.

"I thought he was coming back to get me," the homeowner said.

The homeowner's friends say they have no doubt that he did the right thing.

"Good for him," said friend Max Fuller. "Wonderful. I wish more people would do it. It's ridiculous for people to break into homes and think they can get away with it."

BSO says even though the shooting appears justified, the State Attorney's Office may review the case anyway.

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