Police: Teen Shot to Death After Botched Burglary

Homeowner's son fatally shoots teenager

Police said an attempted burglary led to a shootout in broad daylight that left a teenager dead in Oak Cliff on Wednesday.

Dallas police said 17-year-old Gabriel Flores kicked in the door to 79-year-old Iva Willis' home in the 300 block of Hobson Avenue at about 11 a.m.

Willis' son, Charles Bircher, 53, stopped by the house to drop off a newspaper when he noticed the door off its hinges. He said he was confronted by Flores when he looked inside.

The teenager pointed the gun Willis keeps on her nightstand at Bircher and began firing, Bircher said.

"He came at me, shooting at me," he said. "I fell and rolled a few times and pulled my gun. I got to my gun, and I shot at him a time or two. I guess I hit him."

Bullets riddled the fence outside Willis' home, but Bircher was not hit.

Flores later died at a local hospital.

Bircher, who has a concealed handgun license, said he doesn't always carry a gun but is glad he did Wednesday.

"I feel good I had it with me," he said. "If I didn't, he was going to kill me."

Police have not charged Bircher, but are referring the case to a grand jury.

Contact Us