Authorities investigate deadly home invasion
Santa Rosa County, FL
(WEAR) The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's office is investigating a deadly home invasion after they say a man was shot after breaking into a Berrydale home. Deputies identified the deceased suspect as 38-year-old Gary Phillips. Authorities say the shooting happened at a Joyce Philips Lane home, around 7 a.m. Saturday. "An individual attempted to break into the home and upon breaking through the front door he was shot," said Public Information Officer Sgt. Rich Aloy.
Aloy said the man was found dead when deputies arrived at the home. The person living there was detained then released. Authorities say charges have not been filed, pending the outcome of the investigation. Channel Three News found investigators searching the area around the home's front porch for any evidence to help in their investigation.
Investigators could not say if the two men involved knew each other or if they had any interactions prior to the shooting. "Well what we know at this point is the individual broke into the home, he went through the front door and at some point, after that fact, he was shot. And that's part of the investigation we're working on," Aloy said. Deputies are also looking into whether Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law applies to the situation. "Right now when we work this type of investigation, we try to see where that fits in, we don't know just yet cause it's very early in the investigation," Aloy said.