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Intruder killed after breaking into home, multiple family members open fire

The family was in their home when they heard a sound at the back door.

Worried that someone may be trying to break in, Luis Pena, along with his wife and adult son armed themselves and went to their kitchen.

Moments later Mitchell Large burst into the home and Luis fired one warning shot.

"That warning shot did not deter the intruder," Winter Haven, Florida police chief Gary Hester told WSAV.

Large didn’t stop and at least two of the three family members began shooting, hitting the intruder several times.

When police arrived, they found Large on the kitchen floor with multiple gunshot wounds, he died at the scene.

Hester said the family is understandably upset.

“Anytime you have to use deadly force, even if you feel like you don’t have any other options, it’s difficult.”

Police discovered Large was unarmed, but an investigation reports he had a criminal record that included domestic violence and assault.

Cops confirmed that the Pena family acted in self-defense and were within their rights.

"It's not a very far reach to assume that if someone's forcing their way into your residence early in the morning, they're not there to wish you well," Hester commented.

Denver Kemp lives in the same neighborhood. He told WTSP "I hate that a man was shot, and I hate that he died, but you know you've got to take a stand against people that are doing this stuff."

More here.

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