NEAR FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) – Officials are investigating the death of a man who allegedly broke into a victim’s house, Wednesday morning.
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives, 51-year-old Gary Peterson was armed and wearing a mask when he tried to force his way into the victim’s home, located at 530 N.W. 30th Terrace, around 3:30 a.m. Witnesses said they saw Peterson wearing dark clothes and holding what looked like a firearm.
The 33-year-old victim and resident Curtis Traylor, officials said, argued with Peterson outside the home at first, and then a struggle ensued shortly after. Peterson eventually forced his way inside the house. “There’s no information right now that leads us to think they knew each other,” said Broward Sheriff’s Officer Gina Carter.
Detectives said when Peterson entered the victim’s property, he took a gun and fired one shot at the intruder. “The man was obviously trying to get into the home because he barged his way into the home,” said Carter. “His end game was to get into the home. He did so. At that point, shots were fired.”
According to detectives, the suspect died at the scene. “The person who lived in the home was obviously confronted by this person,” Carter said. “He barged inside the home and subsequently died inside the home.”
Neighbors woke up to the news of gunfire and one man dead. “Someone broke into a home here and killed him,” said a neighbor.
Police tape and patrol cars lined the streets, and one resident said the scene was nearby her home. “I don’t know what happened,” she said. “When I got up, I just see all the action out here. Too many people up and down the street all the time.”
“I just can’t believe, I mean, I just can’t believe it,” said another neighbor. “I probably would’ve done the same thing. People work too hard for anybody to come in and break in they house.”
When asked about the shooting, one resident said, “This neighborhood gone, man.”
Officials said Traylor will face no charges at this time.
Residents in the area told 7News that they believe Peterson was homeless. He has previous charges, including robbery with a firearm.
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