TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tarpon Springs Police Department said it is investigating what may turn out to be a ‘Stand Your Ground’ case.
Stand Your Ground refers to the Florida statute that says a person rightfully occupying a residence has no duty to retreat and can use deadly force if they believe they are at risk of imminent death or bodily harm, or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
The department said early Saturday morning, at around 12:40 a.m., officers responded to a home on Midway Lane in Tarpon Springs after a report of a shooting.
At the scene, officers found an unresponsive man who had sustained gunshot wounds to the upper body. They began life-saving measures, and the man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died of his injuries. He was identified as George Tirikos of Tarpon Springs.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Tirikos entered the home unlawfully, and after an altercation ensued between him and the residents, they retrieved a firearm and fired multiple rounds at him.
TSPD said all parties involved are cooperating, and their department is working with the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office to determine if this is a Stand Your Ground case.
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