Police: Teen shot for shooting off fireworks recovering at home

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Willie Dennis (Courtesy: Family members)

A 15-year-old was recovering at home Friday afternoon after police said he was shot multiple times for shooting off fireworks on the Fourth of July.

“We know he was involved in shooting fireworks out there tonight, but there were numerous people that were doing that,” Captain William Ricker, Atlanta Police Department told FOX 5 News early Friday morning.

Captain Ricker said it happened just around 11:25 p.m. at the Providence of Cascade Apartments located at 320 Fairburn Road in southwest Atlanta. The teen, identified by family members as Willie Dennis, was setting off fireworks when a man was struck by one of them, police said. That’s when the man pulled out a gun and opened fire on Dennis, police said, striking the teen multiple times.

“It appears the incident stemmed from the shooting of fireworks from several people out in the neighborhood and someone retaliated with a firearm,” the captain said.

Dennis was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was listed in stable condition as of Friday morning. He was treated for two gunshot wounds and was released later that same day and family members said he was resting at home.

“We do not have a specific suspect as of now, but hopefully we will be able to develop one,” said Capt. Ricker.

Atlanta police said many people were out celebrating the holiday. They are still searching for the shooter. Capt. Ricker asks anyone with information to come forward.