Man dies protecting daughter in home invasion

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Police are investigating a deadly home invasion after a father was fatally shot during a struggle with intruders.

The home invasion occurred Tuesday night on 43rd Street and Northwest 16th Avenue. Investigators said two armed men broke into the home and demanded money from Maurice Harris and his wife.

Harris told the robbers they had no money. The men then held his wife to the floor at gunpoint and started to walk towards their 11-year-old daughter's bedroom. Harris struggled with the suspects to keep them away from the room, and then he was shot. "The only thing they were saying was, 'Money, we want money,' and we kept on telling them we don't have any money," said Harris' wife, Shakila Stewart.

Harris was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he died.

Annie Streeter was shocked to hear about her son-in-law's death. "When I found out what happened, I couldn't believe it, I'm thinking this is all a dream," she said. "Right now we're all numb and in disbelief."

"[The robbers] will stop at nothing to get what they want," said Miami Police Department Detective Confessor Gonzalez. "The motive is clearly a robbery; it is a home invasion robbery. The sanctity of their home was violated, and it can't get much worse than this."

Streeter said the crooks held Stewart at gunpoint during the invasion. "She said that someone took the gun and put it to her head and had them hostage there," she said.

Neighbors are now hailing Harris as a hero. "Unfortunately, he died, but he's super dad," said Terry Jones. "I hope I have that much courage if something like that would've happened to me."

Harris and Stewart had been married for 16 years.

Officials are urging anyone with information on the shooters' whereabouts to notify authorities. They describe the suspects as two black males.

If you have any information on this deadly home invasion, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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