The Tampa Police Department says a man in his mid‑20s will not be charged after he fatally shot 15‑year‑old Heitor Amaral on Sept. 20. According to investigators, Amaral and two friends entered the resident’s enclosed back patio while searching for a lost phone, leading to a physical confrontation. The resident said he was placed in a headlock and fired one round in fear for his life. The State Attorney’s Office concluded the evidence could not refute a claim of self‑defense under Florida Statute 776.012(2).
Florida Resident Will Not Be Charged After Claiming Self‑Defense in Fatal Shooting of 15‑Year‑Old
Heitor AmaralCredit: GoFundMe
The Tampa Police Department (TPD) announced that a Florida resident in his mid‑20s will not face criminal charges after fatally shooting 15‑year‑old Heitor Amaral on Sept. 20. The department released an established sequence of events and forwarded its findings to the State Attorney’s Office, which concluded it could not overcome a claim of self‑defense under state law.
What Happened
According to TPD, Amaral and two friends realized a cellphone was missing and used tracking technology to locate a signal near the 13000 block of River Willow Place. The teens left their truck in the roadway and entered the gated community through an open gate. After canvassing neighbors and receiving no answer at one house, they entered that home’s enclosed back patio and began knocking and banging on a sliding glass door while searching for the phone.
Heitor AmaralCredit: GoFundMe
The resident, described only as a man in his mid‑20s, told investigators he put on a mask and armed himself to scare the group away. He said he saw the teens on his private back patio and attempted to stop them from entering the home.
“During the struggle, the resident stated he was placed in a headlock and feared for his life, at which point a single round was discharged from the gun, striking the 15‑year‑old,”
Evidence gathered by investigators indicates that as the other teens fled, a physical struggle occurred just outside the enclosed patio between the resident and Amaral. Responding officers attempted lifesaving measures, but the teen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Heitor AmaralCredit: GoFundMe
Investigation and Legal Decision
TPD said the resident cooperated fully and the firearm was secured as evidence. The missing phone was not found inside the residence and remains unlocated. After a comprehensive review, the department submitted its findings to the State Attorney’s Office. On Oct. 1, prosecutors determined the evidence would not allow them to successfully refute a claim of self‑defense pursuant to Florida Statute 776.012(2), and therefore no criminal charges will be filed.
In a statement, TPD acknowledged the deep pain this tragedy has caused the family, friends and community and said it released the sequence of events to ensure transparency.
Family and Community Response
Family members identified the victim to local media as 15‑year‑old Heitor Amaral. His sister, Maysa Amaral, described him as the youngest of three siblings who enjoyed video games, hip‑hop, riding his electric bike and spending time with friends. She told The Tampa Bay Times that he was not the type to initiate fights unless provoked or defending himself.
People magazine reported outreach to the State Attorney’s Office on Oct. 3 but did not receive an immediate response. The TPD's release included photos credited to a GoFundMe page for the victim.
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