JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A resident was shot Sunday morning after a masked intruder armed with a rifle broke into his Springfield residence in an attempted robbery, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Just before 11 a.m., officers responded to a residence on North Pearl Street after the man was shot.
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Police said an unknown man in a ski mask and armed with a rifle broke into the man’s residence while he was sleeping.
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A struggle between the intruder and the man ensued, causing the gun to go off twice, JSO said. The resident was struck in the leg.
The suspect left the home without taking anything from the residence.
Police said the man’s girlfriend was also in the residence at the time of the incident; she was unharmed.
The resident was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to JSO. He was in stable condition.
Though it’s unknown if the door was unlocked, Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney advised people to always double-check their locks.
“It sounds so simple. It starts by locking your doors. You would be shocked at how many people forget to lock the doors or don’t lock the back doors or don’t secure their homes,” he said.
He also emphasized that criminals would usually look for a door or window that’s out of sight, so keep those tight.
He suggested installing longer screws for door hinges, keeping a porch light turned on, and investing in an alarm system.
It’s often believed that home invasions only happen at night, but Hackney emphasized that invasions and burglaries tend to happen in broad daylight when no one is home.
Hackney also recommended having a plan in place if someone breaks in. It’s best to think about how you would handle the situation and what you would instruct your spouse or children to do, because answering those questions can help you stay prepared.
If you have any information on this incident, call 904-630-0500.