Community Corner

Man Shoots Two Teenage Intruders: Was It Murder or Self-Defense?

Jury will decide whether force was necessary and reasonable in deaths of popular high school students.

Little Falls, Minn. – The trial of a 65-year-old man who shot and killed two teenage intruders is underway and stirring a debate about self-defense and the use of lethal force.

Byron Smith has been charged with first degree murder in the Thanksgiving 2012 deaths of Nick Brady, 17, Haile Kifer, 16, ABC News reported. Brady and Kifer were shot to death after breaking into Smith's home.

Smith shot both teens multiple times, including walking up and shooting Brady in the face after he was already down, ABC reported. Smith told police: "I want him dead."

Smith's defense attorney argued that Smith was in fear and had anxiety over several break-ins. Prosecutors contend he planned to murder the two teens and waited in the basement with a bottle of water, a book, energy bars and two guns, ABC reported.

ABC News reported that Smith waited a day before asking a neighbor to call police.

Trending is a category showcasing the most-read stories from across Patch's network of 906 sites.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here