ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A home invasion in the early morning hours of April 16 ended when a St. Petersburg resident opened fire on two intruders, fatally injuring one while the other fled the scene.
According to a press release from the St. Petersburg Police Department, the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. at a residence located at 3401 40th Street North. Two unidentified men forcibly entered the home. In response, the homeowner used a firearm to defend himself, striking one of the suspects.
The wounded suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Marcel James Williams of St. Petersburg, was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The second suspect fled before officers arrived and has not yet been identified or apprehended.
Authorities have confirmed that the case remains under active investigation. No charges have been announced against the homeowner at this time.
This incident highlights the unpredictable and fast-moving nature of home invasions. Defensive gun use in the home is legally justified when a person reasonably believes that they or others are in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm. It’s a reminder of the importance of understanding both the legal framework and the practical realities of self-defense within the home.
St. Petersburg Police urge anyone with information on the second suspect to contact the department’s media relations line.
