FORT WORTH, Texas — An investigation is underway after a teen boy was shot and killed by a woman who claims the boy was trying to break into her home, Fort Worth police say.
There's a makeshift memorial on the sidewalk in the 5200 block of Southcrest Court, making the spot where the teen boy lost his life. The victim's father lives in the Peppertree Acres Apartments nearby.
At about 3 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, officers responded to a woman's 911 call about an attempted burglary at her home at Southcrest Court. When they arrived, officers gathered information from the woman and left to complete the report -- but then they received a second call.
"A second call was made at the same location about a person trying to break into the residence," said Fort Worth Police Officer Jimmy Pollozani.
When they arrived for a second time, officers found a teen boy lying in the front yard with a gunshot wound to the torso.
Police said the woman who called 911 admitted to shooting him, because he was trying to break into her home.
Emergency responders tried to save the boy using CPR, but he passed away at the scene, police said.
Officers also found two bullet holes in the front wall of the woman's apartment and a broken window. Police said she has been cooperating with investigators.
Police told WFAA the teen boy was an 8th grade student at Rosemont Middle School.
Officer Pollozani said, "It's heartbreaking for the community, for the officers who responded, and for every party involved."
After learning about the 8th grader's shooting death, the principal at Rosemont Middle School wanted to make sure staff, the boy's teachers and classmates had something in place to help them deal with what happened.
A letter to parents from the principal said additional counseling staff would be available on campus for any student who needed assistance. "I encourage you to be attentive, listen to your child, and look for possible signs that they may need additional help," the letter read.
There is also additional ongoing help for students needing direction and mentors. Parents can take advantage of events held throughout the year organized by local police officers. The Fort Worth Police Department encourages parents to get their kids active in their free Police Athletic League programs: https://police.fortworthtexas.gov/get-involved/police-athletic-league.
The Fort Worth Police Athletic League is a non-profit organization and collaboration between police and the community to serve the youth throughout the city. The programs are run by police officers and volunteers from the community to keep young people active and social, while having fun and developing self-confidence, self-respect, self-discipline, physical fitness and sportsmanship.
"The whole purpose behind that is to get kids off the street, get kids active in the community," said Officer Pollozani.
The name of the 8th grade boy killed has not been released to the public at this time, nor has the name of the woman accused of shooting and killing him. Police will continue to investigate the incident.