Khyler Edman Port Charlotte, Florida teen hailed a hero after attempting to protect 5 year old sister from burglar, Ryan Cole only to be stabbed to death.
A 15-year-old Florida boy has died saving his younger sister from a home intruder, authorities say. The teen has since been hailed a hero.
Khyler Edman was home with his 5-year-old sibling in Port Charlotte on Thursday afternoon, September 26, circa 4pm, when a druggie ex-con burglarized them, police said, according to Newsweek.
The sheriff’s office said in a press release that that police were called to Starlite Lane after receiving reports of an injured man running through the streets. Officers were able to apprehend Ryan Cole, 27, who had stab wounds to his hands.
Upon entering the family home, after observing a nearby door had been kicked in, officers found the boy dead inside.
It was revealed the teen’s 5 year old sister witnessing the attempted robbery and subsequent killing of her brother – allegedly, at the hands of Cole.
‘A violent encounter ensued where we believe that the teenager was trying to protect the home and protect their younger sibling,’ Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said.
Khyler’s grieving family called the teen — an honors student and high school sophomore — ‘his sister’s keeper.’
‘There is no hero that can amount to Khyler,’ family rep Crystal Stone said, according to WINK-TV.
Home invasion occurred following earlier robbery in Port Charlotte earlier that day:
Stone set up a GoFundMe to help the family with funeral and other expenses. Its goal was set at $25,000; by Tuesday afternoon, it had reached $45,500.
‘This is not going to only give Khyler the burial he deserves this will allow Kyhler’s mom and 5 year old sister be able to get into another house so they aren’t faced with having to relive the traumatic experience over again,’ Stone wrote.
‘Khyler was a hero protecting his sister but please continue to keep her in your prayers as she witnessed this.’
The boy’s death comes following reports of a second burglary in the Port Charlotte vicinity earlier that afternoon. Cole is considered to be the suspect in that robbery as well.
Cole is currently facing charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and petit theft for the robbery incident earlier that day according to the sheriff’s office. The Starlite Lane scene is still under investigation for additional charges related to the death investigation.
Unclear, is what treatment, if any the alleged home intruder had been receiving for his drug addiction.
