Homeowner shoots, holds intruder at gunpoint until police arrive: LWPD

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Published  December 18, 2024 3:34pm EST
FOX 13 News
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LAKE WALES, Fla. - A Lake Wales homeowner shot an intruder in the leg and held him at gunpoint until police arrived Tuesday night, according to the Lake Wales Police Department.

The victim told police that he woke up at his home on the 700 block of South Scenic Hwy. to the sound of his dog barking. 

That's when the homeowner said he armed himself and found the intruder, 34-year-old Cameron McGuire, holding some of his child's belongings inside the home.

Courtesy: Lake Wales Police Department.

Police say the victim then yelled "freeze," but the suspect kept walking toward him, so McGuire shot him once in the leg.

Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez says this incident is an example of a law-abiding citizen exercising his legal rights.

"This homeowner is a law-abiding citizen and had every right to protect his family," said Velasquez. "Cameron McGuire should be thankful today that he is alive and in jail. Hopefully, this was his wake-up call". 

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Investigators say McGuire got into the home by climbing through a kitchen window.

A homeowner shot and held an intruder at gunpoint until the Lake Wales Police arrived Tuesday night.

McGuire was transported to a local hospital before being booked into the Polk County Jail.

He has been charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and theft. 

Police say McGuire was released from state prison in February, and has an extensive criminal record consisting of drug possession and domestic battery by strangulation. 

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