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Florida man chases down suspected burglar, shoots him, police say

MIAMI — A Florida man is accused of chasing a man who attempted to rob his apartment and shooting him with an assault-style rifle as he begged for his life, authorities said.

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Corthoris Jamal Jenkins, 28, of Miami, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, according to Miami-Dade County online court records.

Jenkins told police he was playing video games in his bedroom Tuesday afternoon when a man broke into his apartment, the Miami Herald reported.

Instead of calling the police, Jenkins grabbed his gun and chased the man, later identified as Xavier West, down the street, the newspaper reported.

It is unclear whether the men knew one another, Fox News reported.

“He begins to what appears to be to beg for his life,” Miami-Dade Detective Iry Watson told Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer on Wednesday afternoon. “But the defendant takes the assault rifle and shoots him multiple times.”

West remained in the hospital on Friday, and detectives have not had a chance to interview him, the Herald reported.

According to a police report, Jenkins originally told investigators he “blacked out” and was unable to recall the shooting.

However, during the court hearing, Jenkins told Glazer, “I didn’t shoot him while he was on the ground.”

“I’m the victim, ma’am,” Jenkins said.

“You’re the victim of a potential burglary, but you can’t just go around shooting people,” Glazer answered, according to the Herald.

According to the police report, authorities found eight bullet casings on the ground near West.

Prosecutor Khalil Quinan told Glazer that surveillance video proved the shooting was premeditated.

Glazer agreed, the Herald reported.

“He had time for reflection as he’s pointing the gun as he’s begging on his knees,” the judge said. “That’s premeditation.”