ATLANTA, Georgia — A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed inside his home in the 1800 block of Lathrop Street Southeast in Atlanta’s Thomasville Heights neighborhood on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
Officers responded to reports of a child shot at the residence after the boy’s mother called 911 around 1:45 p.m. Upon arrival, they found the preteen suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Atlanta Police Captain Germain Dearlove said investigators are working to determine whether the shooting was an accident and if anyone had been playing with a gun at the time.
“The boy’s mother was home at the time of the incident,” Captain Dearlove stated. He urged parents and guardians to secure firearms in their homes, especially when children or friends are present.
“Check your home, make sure these weapons are secured. They have friends over. Don’t let them close that door. Check on them. Do periodic updates,” Captain Dearlove advised.
Police spoke with at least two juveniles and their parents who were inside the home and are cooperating with investigators. A weapon was recovered from inside the residence.
Doorbell camera footage from a neighbor captured several people running from the home around the time of the shooting. Captain Dearlove noted that it is unclear whether those individuals were involved, and police still need to speak further with the boy’s mother to confirm everyone who was present.
Neighbors described the block as typically one of the quietest in the area. Local resident and pastor Michael Dennis expressed shock at the incident in a neighborhood he called generally peaceful.
“This neighborhood is pretty peaceful most of the time. Every now and then we may hear something,” Dennis said. “We have lived our entire life here in this neighborhood on the same street.”
Dennis offered prayers for the family, saying, “It’s just one of those things that, you know, happen, but it don’t have to happen… I just pray for the family that they could find healing.”
The investigation remains ongoing as Atlanta police seek to piece together the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death.
