Holly MatkinConyers, GA – A Georgia homeowner fatally shot three masked teens after one of the would-be robbers fired a gun at him outside his residence.
The incident occurred near White Oak Court at approximately 4 a.m. on Monday, WSB reported.
Three people were standing outside the home when the suspects, ages 15, 16, and 16, attempted to rob them, according to KSLA.
One of the teens allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired at the group.
That’s when the homeowner returned fire, striking all three teens, WSB reported.
The homeowner called 911 immediately after the exchange of gunfire.
Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) deputies responded to the shots fired call and found one of the suspects lying near the edge of the driveway, WSB reported.
The other two suspects were found a short distance down the road.
One of the would-be robbers was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other two suspects were transported to a local hospital, where they succumbed to their wounds.
None of the attempted robbery victims were injured during the attack, KSLA reported.
Investigators recovered two firearms at the scene, according to KVVU.
Family members identified two of the suspects as brothers Jaime Hernandez, 15, and Isaiah Reid, 16, WXIA reported.
Neighbor Asteria Williams said that the homeowner is a kind man who likely would have helped the teens if they had only asked.
“He’s a nice, caring dude. If they would have knocked on the door and asked him for anything, he would have gave it to them,” Williams told KSLA. “It’s sad. You should not risk your life for nothing like that because you can’t get it back. Now, they’re gone.”
But one of the teens’ relatives argued that the homeowner reacted excessively to being shot at.
“That’s not how it’s supposed to go,” the man declared. “I understand one shot to stop the people, the victims or whatever, but aggressively to shoot these little teens, that’s overkill. That’s too much to handle.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and no charges have been filed.