I didn't read the article, but I suspect the guy did the 'OMIF' strategy, and did not wait for his lawyer.
If there was a 'non-felon' in the house why not let the police INFER that this person might have been the shooter? Why not let the police INFER the felon shot himself? In fact, a clever TV show (i.e. hypothetical) might have the 'non-Violent Felon' get the BG's gun and shoot it through an appropriate 'hole' which allegedly might have pre-existed...but I digress.
I think that if the lawyer had been the one to speak to the cops, and/or the guy had involved the lawyer he could have armed up but with an alternative HD contraption. Compound Hunting bow, Cross-Bow, anyone? Guy would have been just as dead.
I'm not sure why the title had to be 'Father'...guess I'll go read now. :uhoh:
(OpenMouthInsertFoot)