Thanksgiving Intruder Shot in the Head by Homeowner—Police

A suspected burglar was reportedly shot in the head and killed by a resident after he forced his way into an apartment in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving.

The suspected burglar has not been named by the Philadelphia Police Department but officials said he was a male in his 20s.

ABC Action News reported the shooting took place at The Premier at City Line in the Overbrook neighborhood, in West Philadelphia, just after 7:20 p.m on Thursday. It is unclear if the renter who lived in the apartment will face any charges.

Newsweek has contacted Philadelphia Police Department for an update on the investigation.

One woman who lives in the apartment block, Keenan Walker, told ABC Action News: "I thought maybe someone got through the door here but not into somebody's individual apartment which is kind of frightening.

"When you're coming in and out, people might be behind you and you don't lock the door behind you to make them use the fob, and there are security cameras everywhere."

Others who lived in the property were reportedly confused as to why the door was propped open when they came home from Thanksgiving meals.

They have since received an email from property managers who explained they were working with authorities as the investigation takes place.

Newsweek has reached out to The Premier at City Line for a further statement.

Its website describes the accommodation as "an oasis from city life" that is "surrounded by the lush hills, tree-lined streets, and historical homes of Overbrook and Merion yet minutes from the urban ambiance of the city."

Pennsylvania's self-defense law explains: "The use of force upon or toward another person is justifiable when the actor believes that such force is immediately necessary for the purpose of protecting himself against the use of unlawful force by such other person on the present occasion."

It states that using deadly force is not justified if the individual knows they can avoid a fatality by safely retreating from the situation. But when the threat is in your own home, there is an exception because you are not obligated to retreat in your own property and there is a strong chance there is a reasonable belief the deadly force will be for protection from serious bodily harm.

In April, a Florida sheriff, for whom the rules surrounding self-defense in a home invasion were clear, drew some criticism.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson encouraged residents to shoot home invaders in case of break-ins.

"If someone's breaking into your house, you're more than welcome to shoot them in Santa Rosa County. We prefer that you do, actually," he said.

He was was talking to reporters after arresting Brandon J. Harris, 32, who had allegedly broken into several homes in Pace before being stopped by officers.