A man was fatally shot Saturday afternoon during an armed home invasion in Hialeah, police say.
The Hialeah home remains a crime scene after the owner came face with the four armed intruders.
"They were armed and I guess my cousin has to defend himself and shot one of them," said George Garcia, victim's cousin. "He had to defend himself and my aunt."
Undercover cops and investigators scoured the home on west 77th Street and 16th Avenue. Hialeah police say the four men tried to enter through the garage shortly before two Saturday afternoon-- and then gunshots went off.
"It's a very quiet neighborhood so now we're all shocked and freaking out with this," said a neighbor.
Neighbors say the home in question was occupied by three women and a man who had recently moved in. When the alleged bandits burst into the home, cops say there was a struggle and somehow the homeowner ended up shooting and killing one of the intruders.
"It's scary. it's a scary proposition that you don't expect it," said neighbor Jorge Martinez.
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The other three men quickly took off driving away in a green car. It's still a mystery as to why the would be thieves picked this house or if it was targeted. Neighbors feel on edge knowing the suspects are one the loose but many say the homeowner was justified in the messy situation.
"I probably would have done the same thing," Martinez said. "If you're in your home and somebody's trying to come in you have to protect yourself."
The deceased suspect has not been identified and there is little known about the other three who fled. If you happen to have information on this incident call Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
