OKC Family Reacts To DA's Decision To Not Charge 3 Men For Teenager's Shooting Death

A twist in an Oklahoma City murder case caught the victim’s family by surprise. Three men accused of shooting and killing 19-year-old Daniel Green in July were released from jail.

Oklahoma County prosecutors said on Monday they determined it was a case of self-defense. They said Green opened fire in retaliation for the men allegedly vandalizing his car.

It has been nearly two months since Green's family lost him. His parents witnessed their only child's final moments inside their southwest Oklahoma City home.

Related: OKC Police Investigate After 19-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Front Of His Family

“They were the ones that called 911,” said Kathy Green, victim’s aunt. 

Police said it all started after a heated phone conversation Green had with Darwin Tapia. A witness to the conversation claimed Green threatened to shoot Tapia if he came to his house.

According to court documents, Tapia, Scott Brown and Armando Flores went to the teenager's home the next day, but Green did not answer the door. 

“We don’t know why they came to his house,” said Green. “They vandalized his property.” 

The men went back to Green's home and police said this time Green was on the porch with a rifle and opened fire. Investigators said the men fired back, killing Green.

“The sad thing about it is they admitted to doing all this,” said Green. “There were multiple people against one 19-year-old child. How they call that self-defense, I’m at a loss.”

Earlier this month Tapia, Brown and Flores were arrested on complaints of first-degree murder and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. However, last week the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office told homicide investigators they were not going to pursue charges.

Green's aunt said their family was devastated.

“Getting that news that they are not charging them is almost as bad as losing him all over again,” said Green.

Green worries the men may have gotten away with murder.

“No one is here to defend little Danny,” said Green. “We have to be a voice for him.”  

She said Green's parents still have a lot of questions and want to meet with the DA's office to discuss their decision to not charge.