LAKE WALES, Fla. — A Winter Haven man is behind bars after he allegedly broke into a home in Lake Wales, was shot by the homeowner and then held at gunpoint until police arrived.
The investigation began around 11:35 p.m. after Lake Wales police got a call from a homeowner on South Scenic Highway who said he shot an intruder and was holding him at gunpoint.
Police said they arrived to the home near Grove Avenue and found 34-year-old Cameron McGuire inside the home. He'd been shot in the leg.
The homeowner said his dog barking woke him up and he grabbed his gun to investigate the commotion. As he did, he found McGuire inside the home holding some of his child's belongings.
He reportedly yelled "Freeze," but McGuire kept walking toward him, prompting the homeowner to shoot him once, hitting him in the leg.
The homeowner then called 911 and kept his gun pointed at McGuire until police arrived.
Investigators say McGuire was able to get into the house by climbing through a kitchen window out back.
McGuire was taken to a local hospital, received treatment and was released. He was then charged with burglary to an occupied dwelling and theft, and booked into the Polk County Jail.
Police say McGuire has an "extensive" criminal history, including battery by strangulation. He was released from state prison back in February 2024.
“This homeowner is a law abiding citizen and had every right to protect his family," Chief Chris Velasquez said in a statement. "Cameron McGuire should be thankful today that he is alive and in jail. Hopefully this was his wake up call."
