Decatur man confronts car break-in suspects, shooting follows

DECATUR, Ga. - Police are investigating whether a car break-in that resulted in a physical fight with the victim is connected to subsequent shooting.

A man told police around 6 p.m. Saturday he walked outside his home on East Lake Drive and noticed two men in his truck. He said he fought off one of the men while the other one ran away. During the scuffle, the man said the suspect pulled out a handgun but it fell to the ground. The victim then picked up the gun and pointed it at the suspect, while ordering him to stay. But moments later, the suspect jumped a fence and ran away. A neighbor told officers he tried to grab that suspect but ended up with a bruise during the encounter.

FOX 5 spoke with the car break-in victim Sunday. He didn't want to be identified but said, four hours after that incident, someone fired at least five shots at his property, striking his door, a downspout and a sign.

"Initially, I thought it was fireworks," he said. "This is such a nice, quiet neighborhood. The last thing on my mind was that someone would be breaking into my vehicle..I'm a little concerned because they are still out there."

Neighbor Terry Broughton said he is disturbed by the turn of events.

"I'm going to be on the lookout, me and my friends. I will tell everybody to be on alert," Broughton said.

After the shooting, another neighbor reported two men speeding from the home in a gray Chrysler Town and Country van.

Police released the following descriptions of the suspects:

Suspect #1: Black male, thin build, dark complexion with shoulder length dreadlock hairstyle.

Suspect #2: Black male, mid-teens to early 20’s, approximately 5’10 and 150 lbs, slender build, dark complexion, short dreadlock/twist hairstyle, wearing a white tank top, gray jeans and red shoes.

Decatur Police contend they are looking into the case. However, officers don't advise people to confront a criminal, who is stealing property, because the person could be armed or there could be others working with that individual in the area.