The State Attorney’s Office determined that a Sarasota County man was justified in fatally shooting a man who forced his way into his Venice apartment July 1, according to a Venice Police Department update posted Wednesday.
The State Attorney’s Office will not prosecute Aaron Bean.
On July 1, Venice Police responded to a 911 call placed by Aaron Bean, who said he shot a man who forced his way into his residence at 522 Vistera Boulevard, off Laurel Road in northeast Venice.
The investigation found that the victim, Terry Lee Murphy, 32, of Venice, forced his way into Bean’s apartment while threatening to kill Bean and members of his family.
According to the police update, Murphy then repeatedly shoved and struck Bean while holding one hand behind
his back as if he were armed.
The confrontation continued from the living room into a bedroom, where Bean retrieved a firearm and fired three times.
Murphy fled the apartment and later died from his injuries.
Bean immediately reported the shooting, cooperated fully with investigators and voluntarily provided footage from a security camera inside his apartment.
What did investigators determine?
Investigators reviewed digital evidence that corroborated testimony provided by Bean.
After reviewing the evidence, the State Attorney’s Office determined that Bean’s use of deadly force was justified under Florida law.
It was determined that Bean had no duty to retreat within his own home and reasonably believed the force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
“Our detectives carried out their duty to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation, allowing the State Attorney’s Office to reach a determination based on the complete evidence and applicable law,” Venice Police Capt. Eric Hill said in a prepared statement. “While this decision closes the criminal investigation, we recognize the gravity of the incident and the loss of life involved.”
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook, and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County fatal apartment shooting ruled justified
