Mum shoots burglar who broke into her home while she was inside with children

A mum shot a burglar when he broke into her Texas home after warning him that she was armed and had altered authorities.

The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, shot and injured Carlos Garcia, 36, in the arm on 25 October and forced the would-be burglar to flee the scene.

The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office issued a statement about the incident in Edinburg, Texas and said Garcia refused to leave even after he had been warned.

According to a press release, he 'refused to leave and continued to try and get into the bedroom' where the woman was hiding with her children.

The woman shot him once in the left arm through the door and he fled, only to be apprehended by authorities in a field close to the home.

He had broken into the family's home via the garage, prompting the woman and the children to lock themselves in a bedroom in a bid to keep safe.

As reported by KRGV, Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra said: "You have the right to defend yourself in your own home against an intruder.

"I imagine she was in fear of her life… so she did what she had to do, and we support her.

"You don't have to give notice, if someone's breaking into your home you have the right to protect yourself and use deadly force, and you're not going to have any problem with the sheriff of Hidalgo County."

Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center

The right to use deadly forced is given to Texas residents by a law known as the Castle Doctrine, which is similar to the 'stand your ground' right that allows people to use physical force when threatened in their home.

Facebook users were quick to praise the mum for her actions.

"Great job protecting your kids," one wrote. "Glad to hear all is well. Your children will remember this and be proud of your courage to protect them and your home."

A second agreed, writing: "Good for her. It's your own responsibility to keep yourself safe and being armed does that. If she hadn't been, police would be possibly responding to an assault or worse."

"She did what she had to do!" wrote a third, while a fourth added: "Serves him right."

As reported by the MailOnline, Garcia was treated for his injury before he was charged with 'burglary of habitation with intent' and held at the Hidalgo Adult Detention Center with a bond of $750,000 (£650,000).

Topics: News

Emma Guinness

@guinness_emma