Robert Young, 29, was shot and killed by 55-year-old Maria Otero, the branch chief of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Miami office, after she woke to the sound of breaking glass from a sliding door in her Pinecrest home on Feb. 12, police said.
The U.S. Attorney and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office are investigating the shooting death of the intruder.
Authorities don’t anticipate any charges being filed against Otero since under Florida’s “Castle Doctrine” law, a resident can use deadly force while presuming any intruder, armed or not, poses a threat of “death or great bodily harm.” Police were uncertain if Young was armed.
Young had an extensive criminal history, including a 2013 grand theft conviction that he served a year of probation for. In 2010, Young was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.
Young had also been arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and misdemeanor battery, but those charges were dropped. In August 2017, Young was arrested for misdemeanor criminal mischief and was awaiting trial.
Police don’t believe that Young was targeting Otero or her home. Police found Young’s body inside of the residence.
CBP Spokesman Michael Silva said that Otero has been in law enforcement for 25 years. She is currently on administrative leave since the shooting, which is standard practice.
Last month, another law enforcement officer in the area of southwest Miami-Dade encountered a suspect at his home.
Retired police officer Gary King said that he and his wife were followed to their home in Palmetto Bay after going to dinner and doing some shopping.
King said the suspect was following them, but he lost sight of the suspect when he pulled into his driveway. Upon exiting their vehicle, King and his wife were approached by two male suspects.
King’s wife was pushed to the ground and one of the suspects stole her watch. King had a physical altercation with the other suspect, who was able to get his hands on King’s gun and fired a shot, hitting King.
King, 70, is a retired Miami-Dade police officer, and he is still recovering from the gunshot wound.
Florida City resident Kionne Bell, 22, was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder, armed robbery and aggravated battery on a person aged 65 or older.
