If you have to use any kind of deadly force in self defense, it is always in your best interest to be the first one on the phone with 911. Police aren’t known for their critical thinking, so the first story they get is most often they one they are going with until proven otherwise.
If one of the teens had called 911 and said some creepy guy catfished and physically assaulted them first, this story would probably read a lot differently.
Disclaimer: Not victim blaming. More of a PSA. And really one of the very very few times I would recommend calling the police.