A Tamarac man who was out walking his dog Saturday morning shot and killed a suspect burglarizing cars in the neighborhood, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies say the accused burglar -- 22-year-old Walder Jean Saintelus -- was breaking into several vehicles on the 9500 block of NW 82nd Court when he was approached by Frank Johnston, the homeowner walking his dog. Saintelus was apparently trying to burglarize Johnston's car when the pair got into an altercation.
The incident ended with Johnston, 64, fatally shooting the suspect, according to police.
“There was an altercation between the two and the homeowner did fire his weapon injuring the suspect," said spokesperson Keyla Concepcion.
Johnton apparently called police just after 5 a.m. Saturday to report a suspicious person checking car door handles near NW 82nd Street and 95th Avenue. But then he decided to take matters into his own hands.
“When [Johnston] saw him come up and start trying to burglarize his vehicle he came outside the home armed and confronted the man,” Concepcion said.
The sheriff's office said Saintelus was transported to Broward Health North where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say Saintelus has a history of burglaries and that several neighborhood residents confirmed their cars had been broken into.
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No charges against Johnston have been filed as of yet. It will be up to the State Attorney's Office to decide whether this was a "stand your ground" case.
