17-year old boy and 18-year old girl shot in Minnesota basement by homeowner

Haile Kifer, age 18

A 17-year old boy, Nicholas Brady, and his18-year old cousin, Haile Kifer, were shot in the basement of a home in Little Falls, Minnesota, by the homeowner.  The owner claimed self-defense and that they had broken into the home.

But the Sheriff seems to have doubts about the claim.  The man was arrested for suspicion of murder, because of shooting the teens multiple times, execution-style, and not reporting the shooting for a day.

From an article:

Police responded to a home around 1 p.m. Friday in the 14000 block of Elm Street, north of Little Falls, on reports of suspicious activity. 

Upon arrival, police were met by Byron David Smith, 64, who told them he had shot and killed two people who were breaking into his home the day before around noon. 

Nicholas Brady, age 17

Deputies found the bodies of a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl in the basement of the home. 

"A person has every right to defend themselves and their homes, even employing deadly force if necessary," said Michel Wetzel, Morrison County sheriff. 

But the sheriff said circumstances of this incident led deputies to believe Smith went beyond that point. 

Wetzel told the St. Cloud Times that Smith had no history with the sheriff’s office and that he had no information about whether the teenagers and Smith knew each other. 

The identities of the two teens and their exact cause of death will be released by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office. 

Smith was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, with charges expected to be filed Monday.

UPDATE (11/26/12):  At what point does "self-defense" of one's home become overkill?  The two unarmed teens were shot execution style, multiple times, and without warning, though they had broken into the home.  Nicholas Brady, 17, and his cousin Haile Kifer, 18.  Here is a good write-up of the details of the shooting and discussion of the ramifications.

(a related article, with photos of the shooter, the home, and the two teens)
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