First off, I think life is irreplacable. But if I caught someone stealing things from me that aren't "life sustaining" items, I shoot first and ask later!
What gives anyone the right to take what someone else has worked hard to get?
I have invested much time and energy into owning a few nice things, and if some lowlife thinks they can get it for a few minutes of misguided actions, best of luck to them because I won't let them walk away if I catch them!
If they want what I have, they can get off their lazy butts and work hard to earn it! I'm tired of the "Society owes it too me" attitude! The "Free for Me" has no place around me!
Think about it this way:
Every profession has "Occupational Hazzards". Computer operators risk carpal-tunnel syndrome. Office Assistants risk paper cuts. Iron Workers risk falling injuries, up to and including death. Thiefs risk bodily injury, up to and including death, while committing a crime.
So lets just call a dead thief a victim of their "Occupational Hazzard"!
I'm not trying to say that this person was the theif, but if he knew it was stolen he's just a bad!
IMHO