Man shot in Indian River break-in charged with attempted murder, held on $1.25M bail

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A teenager shot after he kicked down the door of a home in the Florida Ridge neighborhood Feb. 1 told his shooter it was the "wrong house," according to the Sheriff's Office.

Howard Nelson Bartee III, 19, of the 800 block of Eighth Court Southwest, was charged Wednesday with attempted murder and armed burglary.

Bartee was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after a residential burglary gone wrong in the 300 block of 14th Place Southwest, a Sheriff's Office spokesman said.

Bartee's bail was set at $1.25 million.

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A 16-year-old also was charged with occupied residential burglary in connection with the incident, arrest records show.

No charges are expected for the man inside the home who shot Bartee, said Maj. Eric Flowers, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.

"At this point, it appears to be a self-defense situation," Flowers said of the resident, identified as 25-year-old Taylor Reese.

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar said the shooting should serve as a warning for would-be burglars.

"Many residents of Indian River County are armed and prepared to protect their property," Loar said. "Those who commit these crimes will have to face the consequences of their actions."

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The break-in

Reese told investigators he was lying in bed about 5:45 p.m. Feb. 1 when he was startled by a loud bang.

Reese grabbed his handgun and exited his bedroom, according to the 16-year-old's arrest affidavit. He saw his front door had been kicked in and went outside to investigate.

Once outside, Reese saw Bartee stand up from the side of his house and fire at him while running, the affidavit said. Reese returned fire, hitting Bartee twice, Flower said.

Bartee ran, but collapsed in the street in front of the home. He threw something into the woods beside the road, the affidavit said.

Deputies found two handguns at the crime scene, Flowers said. One was found in the wooded area where Bartee was seen tossing an object. The other belonged to the resident and also was taken for forensic analysis.

"Why did you kick in my door?" Reese demanded as Bartee lied in the street, according to the affidavit.

"I'm sorry man. It was the wrong house. I didn't know. It was a joke," Bartee said, according to the affidavit.

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Caren Daughtery, who lives beside Reese, was home at the time of the shooting. She said her daughter was the one who called 911.

"He was outside saying, 'Please call 911. I just shot somebody.' He was sick to his stomach, throwing up," Daughtery said. "He said, 'I've never shot anyone before.'"

Reese put his gun down on the hood his pickup before law enforcement arrived, Flowers said. Daughtery said it was because Reese saw how scared her daughter was.

"I feel bad for the young man," Daughtery said, describing Reese as polite and quiet. "He was really shook up."

David Wetherell, who lives on the other side of Daughtery, said he has lived on the street for 22 years and has never had a break-in.

"We were all quite shocked," he said. "Nothing ever happens here."

Bartee remained late Wednesday in the Indian River County Jail. The juvenile's location was not known.

TCPalm, which customarily does not name juveniles accused of crimes, does name some juveniles depending on the seriousness of the crimes, their ages, aggravating circumstances and other factors.