A fifteen year old boy is dead after a violent encounter that the Charlotte County Sheriff's Department said was to protect his little sister from a burglar.
The body of Khyler Edman was discovered around 4:30 pm in his Port Charlotte home on Thursday, September 26th, after authorities apprehended a suspect who was wandering around the neighborhood.
Authorities said his little sister, who was also in the house, was unharmed.
"It has been a very tough scene to deal with," said Sheriff Bill Prummell.
"It was a senseless crime."
The suspect who was apprehended after neighbors called 911, reporting an injured man walking down the street, is 27-year-old Ryan Cole. He attempted to flee when officers pulled up to assist him.
Cole has been arrested on charges of burglary and resisting arrest. More charges are expected related to the death of Edman.
Cole appears to have been responsible for several burglaries in the area.
It appeared Cole had stab wounds on his hands and side when he was taken into custody, a sign of the struggle between he and the teenager.
Sheriff Prummell said:
"We are working very closely with the State Attorney's Office to make sure that we provide the best case we can so this individual does not see the light of day again."
A GoFundMe has been set up to cover the funeral expenses for Khyler and his family.
His mother on the page:
"Please help my family at this time give Khyler a proper burial he deserves."
"He was only 15 years old and lost his life due to a senseless act of a stranger. My son had a long life ahead of him, that was taken too soon."
The page currently has $75,076 raised for the family.
May Khyler Edman rest peacefully.
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