A man in his mid-20s who fatally shot a 15-year-old boy in a gated Florida community will not face criminal charges, according to authorities. The incident occurred on September 20 at an apartment complex in Tampa, where the teenager, identified by family as Heitor Amaral, was searching for his lost cellphone.

Tampa Police announced Thursday that after a thorough investigation and a comprehensive review of the evidence, they concluded there is insufficient basis to charge the shooter. Law enforcement officials have not released the identity of the resident who fired the weapon.

According to police reports, Amaral had lost his phone and, along with two friends, used tracking technology to locate it inside the River Willow Place apartment complex. The group went door-to-door to inquire about the phone. When one resident did not respond, the teens entered an enclosed back patio and attempted to gain attention by banging on a glass sliding door.

The resident, who allegedly put on a mask and armed himself, reportedly intended to scare off the teenagers. As two youths fled, a physical confrontation ensued between Amaral and the resident. The shooter told investigators that Amaral placed him in a headlock, causing him to fire a single shot in self-defense.

Authorities have characterized the shooting as a response to a perceived threat to the armed resident’s safety. The investigation did not find grounds to pursue charges against the shooter, who remains unidentified. The case highlights complex issues around self-defense claims and civilian use of firearms in residential settings.