INDIALANTIC, Fla. - Investigators released the name Tuesday of a man shot while breaking into the home of a Brevard County woman over the weekend.
They are praising the actions of the woman, who was able to find her gun in the dark and defend herself, WESH 2 News reported.
Investigators said Jason Preston, 33, (pictured, left) made so much noise breaking into the home, he not only woke up the owner, but also a next-door neighbor.
Widow Judith Kuntz, 64, lives alone. She said she heard and saw the man holding a flashlight come to her bedroom door in the darkened house.
"(Someone) broke into my house and I think I shot him," Kuntz told a 911 operator.
"Where did you shoot him," the dispatcher asked.
"I don't know. I shot at somebody who was at my bedroom door. I don't know. I'm not gonna come out of my bedroom," Kuntz said.
She only needed to fire one shot from her .38-caliber revolver. After that, the burglar staggered out into the yard and died.
"Did the person scream?" the dispatcher asked.
"Yes. Oh, I'm so scared," Kuntz said.
"OK. Just stay on the phone with me, m'am. I'm gonna get somebody there," the dispatcher said.
"Please, please hurry," Kuntz said.
Investigators said Preston was living temporarily with a cousin two streets away. He was looking for work, having just arrived from Michigan. Investigators said it should have been obvious that someone was home. They're still wondering if his intentions were burglary or worse.
"He's the only one that knows, and he's deceased," said a spokesman for the Brevard County Sheriff's Department.
Neighbors are unanimous in their support for the homeowner.
"I guess when you're scared and that's your reaction, is to defend yourself, is what you do, especially in your own home," said neighbor Gail Fischer.
"She did a great job," the sheriff's department spokesman said.
Investigators said Preston had a record of property crimes and domestic violence in Michigan.
Florida recently passed a law that gives citizens the same right to self-defense on the streets as was exercised by Kuntz in her home.
They are praising the actions of the woman, who was able to find her gun in the dark and defend herself, WESH 2 News reported.
Investigators said Jason Preston, 33, (pictured, left) made so much noise breaking into the home, he not only woke up the owner, but also a next-door neighbor.
Widow Judith Kuntz, 64, lives alone. She said she heard and saw the man holding a flashlight come to her bedroom door in the darkened house.
"(Someone) broke into my house and I think I shot him," Kuntz told a 911 operator.
"Where did you shoot him," the dispatcher asked.
"I don't know. I shot at somebody who was at my bedroom door. I don't know. I'm not gonna come out of my bedroom," Kuntz said.
She only needed to fire one shot from her .38-caliber revolver. After that, the burglar staggered out into the yard and died.
"Did the person scream?" the dispatcher asked.
"Yes. Oh, I'm so scared," Kuntz said.
"OK. Just stay on the phone with me, m'am. I'm gonna get somebody there," the dispatcher said.
"Please, please hurry," Kuntz said.
Investigators said Preston was living temporarily with a cousin two streets away. He was looking for work, having just arrived from Michigan. Investigators said it should have been obvious that someone was home. They're still wondering if his intentions were burglary or worse.
"He's the only one that knows, and he's deceased," said a spokesman for the Brevard County Sheriff's Department.
Neighbors are unanimous in their support for the homeowner.
"I guess when you're scared and that's your reaction, is to defend yourself, is what you do, especially in your own home," said neighbor Gail Fischer.
"She did a great job," the sheriff's department spokesman said.
Investigators said Preston had a record of property crimes and domestic violence in Michigan.
Florida recently passed a law that gives citizens the same right to self-defense on the streets as was exercised by Kuntz in her home.
