You can't take the law into you own hands

Man Charged with Murder for Fatal Beating of Former Employee
While it may not seem fair, you cannot take the law into your own hands.  The victim in this case was stealing from the Defendant.  When the victim fled the scene the Defendant did not have the right to chase him down and beat him.  He knew the victim.  The right thing to do would be to call the authorities and let them make an arrest.

You can protect yourself if you are in fear of your life or the life of a third party.  That does not mean you can shoot or stop a person that is fleeing the scene.  You no longer have the basis of fear for your safety when a person's back is to you.  It is easy to want renegade justice, but the consequences could be more than you bargain for in the end.  Be safe and be smart.
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