SANFORD, Fla. — The Sanford homeowner who shot and killed a 17-year-old who was trying to break into his car in May will not face charges, State Attorney Phil Archer announced Tuesday.
Police said the man, 24, who’s name has not been released, heard Adrein Green, 17, trying to break into his car, which was parked in his fenced front yard. Officers said the man called 911, and then opened the front door of his home, where his wife and infant son were inside, and confronted Green.
READ: Police: Man fatally shoots boy, 17, suspected of breaking into car at Sanford home
“When Green suddenly moved forward, the resident fired two shots and closed the door,” the state attorney’s office report said.
Green later died at the hospital.
“There is no question that this incident is a tragedy with heartbreaking consequences that touch not only the Green family, but our community as a whole,” Archer wrote. “No young person should lose their life in such a violent manner and no parent should have to deal with burying their child at 17. Ever.”
Green’s mother, Andrea, said she disagrees with the decision to not file charges in the case.
“My feelings about today, they were disrespectful, very hurtful,” she said.
Green’s aunt, Gina Daugherty, said she felt Green was let down by the system.
“It’s so sad and because of the color of your skin you get treated differently,” she said. “All the points they was bringing out today they did not add up to him being killed.”
But Archer said the 24-year-old resident who shot Green had no criminal history and owned a concealed weapon permit.
“The resident stated he was scared and concerned about his safety and the safety of his wife and newborn child,” Archer wrote. “I don’t doubt that anyone would be reasonably scared under the same circumstances.
Archer said the man has expressed deep remorse over Green’s death.
“I’m certain he would make a different choice if he had it to do over,” Archer wrote. “But the fact that he had other choices does not mean that the choice he made was an unlawful one. The law supports his ultimate decision and we cannot disprove his right to the use of deadly force.”
Read Archer’s full letter below:
Phil Archer letter by WFTV on Scribd
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