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Homeowner Shoots Burglar: Burglar’s Family Reacts In Most Shocking Way

By Antonio J. Newell
Published on: 10:23 PST, Mar 17, 2016

A 54-year-old homeowner shot and killed a 17-year-old burglar at her Miami residence. Reports state that the burglar was unarmed. Yet the family says an injustice was committed.

Trevon Johnson, 17, was the burglar in this incident. According to CBS Miami, the young burglar entered homeowner Gwendolyn Jenrette’s residence, which alerted her via the security camera system.

The source notes that the homeowner called authorities and relayed the burglar situation. So, presumably, law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene. However, before that could happen, the homeowner took initiative and rushed to the burglar crime scene as well.

Apparently, she arrived before the authorities. The Washington Post notes that, upon arrival, the homeowner encountered the burglar. Reportedly, he was attempting to flee the scene, unarmed. The armed 54-year-old homeowner then shot the teen burglar. Soon after, police officers arrived. They attempted to revive the burglar with CPR. However, the teen succumbed to his injuries and died later at the hospital.

According to CBS Miami, although Trevon Johnson broke into Jenrette’s home, he didn’t actually take any of the homeowner’s property. So, given those parameters, the burglar’s family believe that the 54-year-old didn’t have to shoot or kill their teenage member.

The source interviewed the burglar’s cousin, Nautika Harris, and she expressed her concerns about the homeowner’s situation as follows.

“I don’t care if she have her gun license or any of that. That is way beyond the law…way beyond. 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.”

Likewise, the burglar’s sister, Nisha Johnson, wondered why the homeowner decided to take action into her own hands if she had already called the authorities to handle the situation.

However, interestingly enough, the burglar’s cousin began making additional statements which many social commentators deem “shocking.” She felt as though the homeowner/burglar situation was supposed to be Trevon’s means of “getting money” and that 54-year-old Jenrette should be more understanding. CBS Miami continues the burglar’s cousin’s quote as follows.

“You have to look at it from every child’s point of view that was raised in the hood. 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.”

According to Washington Post, the homeowner lives in Liberty City, a high-crime area. The source states that the homeowner had encountered several burglar instances before her run-in with Trevon. This is partly why the homeowner installed security cameras around her residence.

CBS Miami notes that Detective Dan Ferrin mentioned the homeowner was “a little distraught” from the burglar situation. However, that’s not where Jenrette’s troubles end.

Since being investigated and interrogated for her actions during the burglar situation, the homeowner is possibly facing charges, says Washington Post. Currently, her case is being handled by the state’s attorney’s office.

As the source also mentions, every state has its own provisions regarding homeowner responsibilities during burglar encounters or home invasion situations. In some states, homeowners have been charged with manslaughter and murder for shooting burglars inside their homes.

Detective Ferrin says that it’s best for homeowners not to take burglar situations into their own hands, given the parameters of the law.

“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. That’s what we’re here for.”

So, what are your thoughts about this homeowner’s dilemma? Should she be punished for shooting the teen burglar? Feel free to share your feelings in the comments below.

[Image via Miami-Dade Police Department]

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