Man Due In Court Monday In Morrison County Deaths
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A central Minnesota man will be in court Monday after deputies found the bodies of two teenagers who had apparently broken into his home.
Morrison County deputies made the discovery at a home just north of Little Falls on Friday. It's an incident that has left the community there torn because on one hand, you have someone who apparently was trying to defend his home. The community is also mourning the loss of two teenagers, 18-year-old Halie Kifer and 17-year-old Nicolas Brady.
Deputies were called to a house on Friday because of suspicious activity. Authorities said 64-year-old Byron David Smith told them he shot two people breaking into his home the day before.
Morrison County authorities say Smith did have the right to defend his home to intruders, but clues have led them to believe Smith went too far. Authorities haven't said what those clues are. A check of Smith's background didn't reveal any history of violent behavior.
One of his neighbors and friends said Smith had become fearful for his safety. John Lange said Smith's home had been broken into twice before this latest incident.
"I don't think that's right that he's in jail. He was a victim. I don't know why he waited 24 hours to call, I don't think anybody knows," Lange said. "I think he just snapped and he's so panicked and he didn't know what to do."
Lange described Smith as a good guy, known for helping out kids in the community. He also told us Smith used to work in security.
More details about what happened are expected to be revealed by investigators. Smith is being held for second-degree murder and he could be charged in Morrison County Court on Monday.
