Hernando man confronts, shoots burglar

BROOKSVILLE, FL. - The search is on for a wounded burglar in Hernando County.

According to deputies, a Brooksville man returned home to find a red pickup truck in his Sunshine Grove Road driveway. The man armed himself and then went inside to confront the intruder.

A struggle ensued, during which the homeowner shot the intruder in the stomach and the backside with bird shot, which was loaded in his .22-caliber pistol.

The wounded intruder fled, and now K9s and helicopters are helping to search for him.

There were initial reports out of the area that three schools had been placed on lockdown, but deputies say that never happened. Additional deputies were dispatched to the schools as a precaution, however.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 20s with a shaved head. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and carrying a dark jacket.

Residents are asked to be on the lookout and report any sightings of a man muttering "oh shit this stings, oh shit this stings" while walking through their neighborhoods.