75-year-old Vermont homeowner opens fire with muzzleloader after he says 3 armed men tried breaking in

A 75-year-old Vermont homeowner opened fire with a muzzleloader allegedly after three armed men tried to breaking into his residence late Tuesday night.

What are the details?

Gordon Richard Sr. told investigators the trio tried breaking into his home on Sandy Hill Road in the town of Georgia through a locked interior door from a separate section of the residence where his son lives, WCAX-TV reported, citing state police.

Richard added to police that he shot one of the men with a muzzleloader, shut the door, and called 911, the station said.

The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m., WCAX said. The town of Georgia is about a half-hour north of Burlington.

Troopers found 39-year-old Paul Brown of Milton and St. Albans wounded in a neighboring yard, the station said, adding that he was rushed to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Wednesday.

Police told WCAX they're still investigating, and no one has been arrested or faces charges yet. WPTZ-TV said police executed a search warrant at the home and that the homeowner is cooperating with police.

Troopers are trying to find Matthew Richard as part of the investigation, WCAX reported. According to WPTZ, Matthew Richard is the homeowner's 40-year-old son. Those with information on his whereabouts or about the case can call state police in St. Albans at 802-524-5993 or leave an anonymous tip online, WCAX added.

Man hospitalized with gunshot wound following alleged home break-in at Georgia, VT homeyoutu.be

How are folks reacting?

WCAX's Facebook post about the incident has attracted nearly 400 comments, many of them supportive of the elderly homeowner's actions:

• "It’s about time," one commenter wrote. "Good for the older gent protecting himself and his belongings."
• "Them old guys have one good fight left in them," another user observed. "Best to leave 'em alone."
• "This elderly man better not receive any charges," another commenter declared.
• "This is what it’s come to here in VT," another user concluded. "People need to protect themselves if the court system won’t, by letting out repeat offenders and being soft on crime."

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