Cops: Texas homeowner shoots, kills intruder on Xmas Eve

CEDAR HILL, Texas - Police in suburban Dallas say a homeowner shot and killed an intruder who broke in late Christmas Eve.

Chris Knox, an attorney for the homeowner, told The Dallas Morning News the intruder entered the Cedar Hill home through a bedroom window just before midnight Tuesday. Knox says the homeowner's deadly actions were justified and "completely protected under Texas law."

The Dallas Observer identifies the homeowner as Gareth Long.

Police spokesman Corky Brown says the intruder, identified as 31-year-old Joshua Slaven, was the stepson of Cedar Hill Mayor Rob Franke.

Franke lives a couple of blocks away and Slaven had been involved in an altercation last month at his home.

Court records show Slaven was arrested on a misdemeanor assault charge and an emergency protective order was issued.

Cedar Hill is about 20 miles southwest of Dallas.