So what happened? Was there a legal judgment? Did he get legal advice? Did local newspapers commission and publish legal analyses?
(Did this happen in Texas?)
(Did this happen in Texas?)
Shooting someone inside a car will undoubtedly make a mess! Did he drag the thief out of the car ASAP afterwards, did the guy run off, or what?
My actions would likely depend on how fond I was of the car:
New Tesla - try talking the guy out of the car,
1971 (maybe any year) Volvo wagon - shoot him dead, etc.