A Winter Haven man was shot by a homeowner after he broke in to a Lake Wales residence late last night. Police responded to the home in the 700 block of South Scenic Highway at 11:35 p.m. after a resident reported he had shot an intruder and was holding him at gunpoint.
When police arrived minutes later they found 34 year-old Cameron McGuire inside the house with a gunshot wound to his leg. The victim told police he woke up to the sound of his dog barking and armed himself with a handgun to investigate the commotion when he found McGuire inside holding some of his child’s belongings. He yelled “freeze”, but the suspect continued walking toward him so he fired one time, striking the suspect. He then called 911 and held McGuire at gunpoint until police arrived. Investigators learned McGuire gained access into the home by climbing through a kitchen window in the rear of the residence.
McGuire was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released. He was charged with burglary to an occupied dwelling and theft then booked into the Polk County Jail. McGuire has an extensive criminal record consisting of drug possession and domestic battery by strangulation. He just was released from state prison in February of this year.
Chief Chris Velasquez said, “This homeowner is a law abiding citizen and had every right to protect his family. Cameron McGuire should be thankful today that he is alive and in jail. Hopefully this was his wake up call”.
