The homeowner says he shot the teen after he charged at him with a hammer

A month after a homeowner shot and killed a 16-year-old attempting force entry into his house, the Oklahoma County district attorney has announced charges will not be filed. At 3:41 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, emergency dispatchers received a call that someone who tried to break into a Midwest City home had been shot. The 62-year-old caller said he was at home when he heard noises outside and armed himself with a 12-gauge shotgun as someone continued to try to enter the home. The man told investigators he opened his front door and fired at the teen when the he rushed at him with an object ― later identified as a framing hammer― in a threatening manner. The teen, dressed in dark clothing, ran a short distance before collapsing in the driveway, where he died, investigators say. He was found with a backpack containing a sledgehammer and items from the Community Church at LeJean and Westminster.Investigators say the sledgehammer was taken from a truck bed across the street and the teen burglarized the church before trying to break into the home. Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater declined to file charges against the homeowner. “Any person who makes a conscious decision to commit this type of crime should take note that homeowners have the legal right to protect themselves,” Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes said. “That’s what happened in this event and the law saved an innocent victim.”

A month after a homeowner shot and killed a 16-year-old attempting force entry into his house, the Oklahoma County district attorney has announced charges will not be filed.

At 3:41 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, emergency dispatchers received a call that someone who tried to break into a Midwest City home had been shot.


The 62-year-old caller said he was at home when he heard noises outside and armed himself with a 12-gauge shotgun as someone continued to try to enter the home. The man told investigators he opened his front door and fired at the teen when the he rushed at him with an object ― later identified as a framing hammer― in a threatening manner.

The teen, dressed in dark clothing, ran a short distance before collapsing in the driveway, where he died, investigators say. He was found with a backpack containing a sledgehammer and items from the Community Church at LeJean and Westminster.

Investigators say the sledgehammer was taken from a truck bed across the street and the teen burglarized the church before trying to break into the home.

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater declined to file charges against the homeowner.

“Any person who makes a conscious decision to commit this type of crime should take note that homeowners have the legal right to protect themselves,” Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes said. “That’s what happened in this event and the law saved an innocent victim.”