Town Mayor's Son Shot Dead In Christmas Home Invasion

A homeowner in Texas fatally shot a Christmas Eve intruder who authorities later identified as the town mayor's son, police say.

Joshua Slaven, 31, the son of Cedar Hill Mayor Rob Franke, was pronounced dead one minute before midnight on Dec. 24, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Slaven allegedly broke into the Cedar Hill home of Gareth Long, located not far from where his parents live, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

The Dallas Observer explains:

Just before midnight on Christmas Eve, Gareth Long woke to a noise outside his bedroom door. He got out of bed, grabbed a handgun, and went to investigate... Several times, Long told the man he was armed and asked the intruder to leave. When he wouldn't, Long fired.

Long was questioned by police but not arrested. His lawyer, Chris Knox, says Long's actions were justified under Texas' castle doctrine.

“It’s very unfortunate that Mr. Long was forced into a position of having to defend himself, his wife and his home from a nighttime intruder,” Knox told the Morning News. “Nobody ever asks to be placed in such a life-threatening position, but Mr. Long’s actions were absolutely justified and completely protected under Texas law.”