Suspected intruder shot, killed by resident at Venice apartment complex: VPD

VENICE, Fla. — The Venice Police Department (VPD) said Thursday they suspect the man killed in early morning shooting at an apartment complex on July 1 forcibly entered into an occupied apartment.

VPD said the shooting happened at the Maren Apartment Complex on Vistera Boulevard. Police said shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning, officers responded to reports of a shooting. Officials said they found 32-year-old Terry Lee Murphy dead at the scene.

Police said Murphy forced his way into the residence when a male occupant answered a knock at the door. The incident captured on video showed the resident trying to stop Murphy from entering to no avail, per VPD.

Murphy assaulted the resident and repeatedly threatened to shoot him during the incident caught on video.

According to VPD, the Murphy kept one hand behind his back, which led the resident to believe Murphy was armed.

Investigators determined Murphy attempted to force the resident to leave the apartment against his will. They also said there's evidence of prior conflicts between Murphy and the resident, which included threats from Murphy.

During the confrontation, the resident from a bedroom got a gun. And as physical struggle over the firearm commenced, VPD said the gun fired, striking Murphy.

VPD investigators said Murphy then left the apartment, and entered another apartment unit on another floor. That apartment was left unlocked by the resident there, who found Murphy injured and immediately called 911. The man who had the confrontation with Murphy also called 911 to report the incident.

Murphy collapsed inside the second apartment and was later pronounced deceased, according to VPD's report.

Police said the upon completion of their investigation, they will forward the case to the State Attorney's Office, which will make the final determination on whether a homicide is legally justified under Florida law.