ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orange County homeowner who shot and killed a man last week told deputies the man was trying to steal his birds, according to a report.
Orange County deputies responded Thursday to a shooting on Ponderosa Drive off Hoffner Avenue, near Goldenrod Road.
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According to an incident report, the homeowner called authorities to report that he shot a man, identified as Jose Enrique Benavides Montero, 31. The homeowner said the man was trying to steal his birds, according to the report.
Deputies found Montero shot near chicken coops in the front yard of the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
One neighbor told News 6 he heard about five or six gunshots.
It’s not known what type of birds the homeowner has on the property, but several cages can be seen outside the home.
“It’s scary,” said neighbor Celia Najera. “We have a lot of people walking down this street.”
Najera lives a few houses down, and she said she shared in concerns over her family’s safety.
“You see our fence — private property, no trespassing,” Najera said. “Everybody on this street has locks on their gates.”
Najera has already taken security measures and told News 6 she doesn’t know what else to do.
“What else can we do? We don’t have police cooperation when we call them. What can we really do?” she asked. “Take matters into our own hands.”
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The state attorney’s office will determine whether the homeowner will face any charges.
No other details have been released.
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