LEESBURG, Fla. – A Leesburg homeowner shot one of two men burglarizing their home Monday, according to the police department.
The Leesburg Police Department said detectives responded to the home on Flora View Lane around 7:30 a.m.
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Police said two men were entering the residence when the homeowner fired, injuring one of them.
The department said the men likely believed the home was abandoned after a tree fell on it a few days ago.
“I knew there had been an issue over there. They had a tree fall on the house during the storm. Somebody had come in after that,” said Mark Hosler, a neighbor. “Looks like they came back to get more stuff from the house, and the owner happened to be home.”
The man was flown to the hospital where he underwent surgery. The homeowner was uninjured.
“We’ve known him a long time. Wouldn’t have expected it other than I guess with the tree falling on the house and making it look like nobody would be in there, probably was an invitation for the two who thought they could break in,” Hosler said.
Police said officers are searching for the second suspect who is described as being white with a slim build. He is about 5 feet, 8-9 inches tall and was last seen wearing a black hoodie and tan shorts.
Anyone with surveillance video or information is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Division at 352-728-9862.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as we receive it.