Two teens shot after homeowner opens fire during suspected package theft, police say

Teens accused of porch piracy shot by homeowner, police say

Atlanta police say a homeowner opened fire on two suspected package thieves Wednesday afternoon, wounding two teens outside a southwest Atlanta townhome.

ATLANTA - Atlanta police say a homeowner opened fire on two suspected package thieves Wednesday afternoon, wounding two teens outside a southwest Atlanta townhome.

What we know:

Officers responded around 3:30 p.m. to Celeste Lane in the Villages of Cascade, located off Benjamin E. Mays Drive.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers found a 15-year-old with a gunshot wound to his right foot. Police said he was alert, conscious and breathing before being taken to a Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment.

A short time later, officers located a second male who had been shot in the right arm. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Early Friday morning, police said that teen was out of surgery and should survive. 

Investigators with the Aggravated Assault Unit responded to determine what led to the gunfire.

What they're saying:

Atlanta Police Chief Darren Sherbaum said the shooting appears to have unfolded during a property crime. "We believe a property crime was occurring, that some packages were being taken off of a front porch," he said. "The homeowner did discharge his weapon to stop that theft of the packages."

He said the homeowner is at police headquarters being interviewed. Detectives expect to decide by Wednesday night whether charges will be filed.

"There is no threat to this neighborhood," Sherbaum said. "We have identified everybody that was involved. We know at the exact door that it took place at. There was no home invasion."

"It is a continuation of the investigation," he said. "Anytime a child is injured in our city, we really take that seriously. We want to make sure we know what is happening, individuals being held accountable, and what resources may be needed for that family."

What we don't know:

Police have not said whether the homeowner will face criminal charges or whether investigators believe the shooting was legally justified. 

Detectives have not identified the second juvenile, detailed his condition beyond initial reports, or confirmed whether surveillance video captured the encounter on Celeste Lane. 

Authorities also have not released information about the packages involved, what evidence was recovered during the search warrant, or how many shots were fired. 

It is still unclear whether anyone else may have been present during the attempted theft or whether additional witnesses have come forward.

Dig deeper:

This is not the first double shooting that has drawn police to Celeste Lane this year. 

In early October, officers responded to the Villages of Cascade apartments on Celeste Lane after two 19-year-olds were shot in an incident that left one dead and another injured. 

Authorities there said the gunfire appeared to follow a dispute between groups and were investigating possible gang ties, but did not immediately release a suspect description or motive. 

There is no evidence to suggest the shooting cases are connected.

What's next:

Both cases remain under investigation.