Is It Any Safer to Break Into a Texas Home on Christmas Eve? This Guy Found Out

A homeowner in Cedar Hill, Texas, shot a would-be burglar dead after he caught the man trying to break into his house on Christmas Eve.

Joshua Slaven (Dallas County Jail)

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Joshua Slaven, was pronounced dead at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, just one minute before it was officially Christmas, according to the Dallas County medical examiner.

The Dallas Morning News reports that the shooting just before midnight after the would-be burglar tried to gain entry into the house through a window.

Investigating detectives said nothing about the case at this points appears to be "unusual." Cedar Hill spokesman Corky Brown said it seems to be "break in and the homeowner shot the person breaking in."

Though the homeowner isn't suspected of committing a crime, Brown said he is being questioned by detectives.

In keeping with standard police procedure, the case will be referred to a grand jury, "which will likely clear the homeowner of any criminal culpability," the Dallas Morning News notes.

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