NORMAN, OKLAHOMA — A 35-year-old man named Bryce Homan has died after allegedly trying to burglarize an ice cream shop called The Ice Creamatory in Norman, Oklahoma, according to reports.
According to Norman Police, they received a 911 call in the early hours of Thursday morning from the owner of the shop who reported having shot the suspect, according to KFOR.
When officers arrived, the suspect was found dead.
The victim’s sister, Nicole Cass, confirmed that the dead man was her younger brother, Bryce Homan.
According to a nearby business employee, the shop had been robbed three weeks prior, which put the owner on edge.
“That was my baby. He was goofy. He loved to ride dirt, four wheelers and do dumb stuff,” Cass said according to KFOR.
“He was an uncle and people loved him and he had boys and his family loved him so much. My mom is heartbroken and she’s in Kentucky and can’t even get here right now.”
Cass said the owner claims Homan broke into the shop and went behind the counter where he was confronted by the owner. The owner allegedly thought Homan was reaching for a weapon, which caused him to shoot Homan.
Cass reportedly believed Homan had a knife with him at the time.
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet ruled the death as a homicide, but Cass believes Homan was ambushed and shot while he was running away.
The ME’s office did report that the man was shot three times, including once in the back of the head, according to KFOR.
Homan had a criminal history of larceny dating back to 2014, according to KFOR.
The family has expressed that Homan should have been taken to jail rather than being shot and killed, though she did also say that she and her family wanted to make it clear that they don’t condone criminal activity in any form.
Norman Police were investigating the incident and trying to determine whether the shooting was justified or in self-defense at the time of KFOR’s report, but it was recently reported by The Norman Transcript that the owner of Ice Crematory will not be charged.
“We have decided that action is not warranted by this office pursuant to 21 O.S. Section 1289.25 after thoroughly reviewing and discussing the case with members of the Norman Police Department,” the DA’s office said according to the Transcript.
The Transcript also reported that Homan was armed with a “Taser, burglary tools and knives.”
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