16-year-old suspect killed during burglary attempt

LEWISVILLE, Texas - A teenager is dead after being shot while trying to break into an apartment in Lewisville.

The shooting happened just after 1 a.m. Sunday at the Oaks of Lewisville Apartments near Business Highway 121 and Bellaire Boulevard.

Police said there were three people home at the time and one of them was armed. The resident fatally shot the 16-year-old robbery suspect. He has since been identified as Edgar Espino.

Another 17-year-old suspect, identified as Ivory Dewayne Tatum III, suffered minor injuries during a struggle inside the apartment.

"There's no sign of forced entry,” said Lewisville Police Captain Jessie Hunter. “So we think that the people inside may have just opened the door to answer the door."

Hunter said a man in his 20s scrambled for his shotgun after fearing their lives were in danger. With one shot, he killed Espino.

"And then they held the second suspect at gunpoint until police could arrive,” Hunter said.

Police said Tatum was roughed up and required medical treatment while investigators interviewed everyone who was inside the apartment. Tatum was charged with burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony.

"It's a tragedy. It's a loss of life,” Hunter said. “There are going to be several lives that are affected by this, obviously this young man's family. But also the guy that had to defend his property and his apartment and himself by using deadly force. It'll affect them probably for the rest of their lives."

Police are still investigating but said it's unlikely that the resident who fired that shotgun will face charges. Police said none of the people involved have criminal histories.