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Homeowner Shoots, Kills Teen Burglary Suspect

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Relatives of a 17-year-old are angry the teenager was shot and killed by a homeowner who police say was protecting her property.

The sister of the teen who died identified him as Trevon Johnson. She said he was a student at D. A. Dorsey Technical College.

"I don't care if she have her gun license or any of that. That is way beyond the law... way beyond," said Johnson's cousin Nautika Harris. "He was not supposed to die like this. He had a future ahead of him. Trevon had goals... he was a funny guy, very big on education, loved learning."

On Thursday, police say Johnson burglarized a home south of 79th Street near I-95 -- just blocks away from where he lives.

The 54-year-old woman told police her surveillance system alerted her to the break-in of her home. She said she rushed home and found the teen climbing out of a window.

"She observed a subject leaving the home through the rear," said police Det. Dan Ferrin.

Miami-Dade police said there was a confrontation and shots were fired. Police said they were on scene seconds after the shooting and gave CPR to the teen. Johnson was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"What's wrong with her," asked Johnson's sister Nisha Johnson. "She did not have to shoot him."

"It's no reason she should have waited until I think he walked out the yard to try to shoot him," said Harris. "If she called the police already why would she shoot him?"

Relatives said they don't believe Johnson stole anything from the home but detectives would not confirm that.

"You have to look at it from every child's point of view that was raised in the hood," said Harris. "You have to understand... how he gonna get his money to have clothes to go to school? You have to look at it from his point-of-view."

Police said the homeowner is cooperating with detectives and was taken to a police station for questioning.

"She's a person that is a little distraught because this is her home that someone obviously was in," Ferrin said.

Investigators said they're still trying to sort all of this out and want the public to remember that, if possible, it's best not to take these types of situations into your own hands.

"If there's any type of situation that happens or they believe there's a burglary at the home or any type of confrontation, dial 911. Have the police make that confrontation," Ferrin said. "That's what we're here for."

The case has been handed over to state attorney's office but, so far, no charges have been filed against her.

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