A 25-year-old man died after being shot this weekend by a homeowner who said he was trying to force his way into a house in the 7300 block of North 12^th Avenue, Phoenix police said.

The homeowner called 911 at 7:43 a.m. July 13 and, while on the phone, he shot the man while he was in the backyard, police said.

Officers arrived and had the homeowner and his family, including small children, exit the house. Phoenix Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced Kwame Hightower dead.

The homeowner was released from police custody after detectives reviewed evidence and took statements from those at the scene.

Further details concerning the incident are part of an ongoing investigation, which will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

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