Tampa Man Won’t Face Charges in Fatal Shooting During Backyard Intrusion
A man in Tampa will not face criminal charges for fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy who entered his backyard patio while searching for a lost phone. Prosecutors determined the shooting was in self-defense during a struggle.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, October 1, 2026 — In Tampa, Florida, prosecutors have decided not to press criminal charges against a man who fatally shot a 15-year-old boy. The incident occurred when the teenager entered the man’s backyard patio in pursuit of a lost mobile phone.
The decision by the prosecuting authority concluded that the shooting constituted an act of self-defense. This determination was made following an assessment of the circumstances, which involved a struggle between the man and the boy. The details surrounding the exact timeline and sequence of events leading up to the shooting were not fully disclosed in the available information.
The deceased, identified as a 15-year-old boy, had reportedly entered the property without permission as he was trying to locate his misplaced phone. The confrontation escalated, resulting in the man firing his weapon.
Following the incident, an investigation was conducted by law enforcement. Prosecutors reviewed the findings of this investigation, including witness statements and forensic evidence, to ascertain whether the man’s actions were legally justified under Florida’s self-defense laws. The official determination stated that the shooting occurred during a struggle and was deemed to be in self-defense, absolving the man of criminal liability. The specific names of the individuals involved were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by By Tony Marrero, Times staff on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
