Elderly man shoots, kills robber

BRADENTON - A 74-year-old man shot and killed the would-be robber who broke into his home on 15th Street East late Monday night, deputies say.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports that Hosie Harris was alone in his bedroom at 11 p.m. when a man, later identified as 39-year-old Lee Johnson, walked in, demanded money, and started hitting Harris in the face and head with some sort of club.

Harris told deputies that Johnson grabbed the loaded rifle Harris keeps by his bed, but couldn't shoot because the gun's safety lock was on.

Johnson put the rifle down, according to deputies, and started looking in Harris' closet. Harris then grabbed the rifle and shot Johnson twice, detectives say.

Harris left his home and called 911 from a neighbor's house.

Deputies say Johnson was pronounced dead a short time later. Harris was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and is said to be in stable condition.

The Sheriff's Office says the investigation is ongoing, but deputies do not think charges will be filed against Harris.