Tavares Floyd

The man who shot and killed a Wenonah High School student during a gun deal in downtown Birmingham won't be charged with any crime.

However, a friend of the teen who was killed is charged with his murder, authorities announced today.

The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office ruled the Feb. 7 slaying of 17-year-old Isaiah Johnson justifiable, said Birmingham police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards.

Police said Johnson and his friend -- who was charged with murder -- were trying to rob the man who ultimately shot and killed Johnson.

Under Alabama law, a person can be charged with murder if they are participating in a crime that results in death, whether or not that person actually pulled the trigger.

"As unfortunate as it is, our detectives did a really good job in this investigation through the various twists and turns,'' said Birmingham police Chief A.C. Roper. "This is the cycle we're trying to break where too many young men are glorifying this violent lifestyle and losing their lives. It's so sad for the families that are left behind to pick up the pieces, so our thoughts and prayers are with them."

The shooting happened about 2:50 p.m. that Tuesday on Second Avenue South at 18th Street in front of the Railroad Square office building. Johnson, police said, was there to exchange guns and buy an additional gun in a deal that was brokered on Facebook.

They met in a nearby alley and one of the young men opened fire from a vehicle, striking Johnson. After being shot, the teen ran out of the alley where he collapsed in the middle of Second Avenue South between 18th and 17th streets. Birmingham police officers fought to keep Johnson alive, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.

The suspects fled the area, but the shooter, whose name is not going to be released, later met with police and was cooperative in the investigation. Surveillance video from the area backed up the shooter's story.

Johnson's friend, 17-year-old Tavares Floyd, is charged with murder. He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $150,000.

Edwards said Johnson and Floyd previously arranged a meeting with another male in an attempt to purchase and exchange firearms. The meeting turned into a robbery-gone-bad, he said.

The findings of the investigation were presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office and the homicide was ruled justifiable. It will not be counted in the department's year-end homicide tally.

So far this year, there have been 18 homicides in the city. Johnson's death and one other have been ruled justifiable.

"It's so unfortunate,'' Roper said the night of the shooting, "that some of our young people are making poor decisions and losing their lives.''