A New York man who claims he was only protecting his family when he shot and killed a burglar now faces manslaughter charges from the district attorney’s office in Huntington Station.
Prosecutors say Youssef Abdel-Gawad broke the law when he killed Jazzmen Bryant, 33, who entered Mr. Abdel-Gawad’s property with four others in an apparent robbery attempt in August, because he shot the suspect in the back while he was fleeing and outside the home.
Police said that four of the would-be burglars waited outside while one climbed onto the porch with a gun and attempted to force his way through the front door, a local CBS News affiliate reported. The suspect then fired his weapon toward the sliding glass door, sending Mr. Abdel-Gawad’s family running for cover, police said.
Mr. Abdel-Gawad then grabbed a shotgun, and he and his two brothers chased the suspect from the porch, police said. Mr. Abdel-Gawad returned fire as the five suspects ran, hitting Mr. Bryant. A pellet gun was later recovered from the suspects.
The family has video of the incident and hope that it will help clear Mr. Abdel-Gawad, who was recently indicted on manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges.
“It is what anyone would do in a situation like this,” Mr. Abdel-Gawad’s brother told CBS.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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