12-year-old dies after being shot in southeast Atlanta

12-year-old killed in southeast Atlanta shooting

A 12-year-old boy has died after being shot Saturday afternoon in a southeast Atlanta residential neighborhood.

ATLANTA - A 12-year-old boy has died after being shot Sunday afternoon in a southeast Atlanta residential neighborhood.

What we know:

Atlanta Police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1800 block of Lathrop Street SE just before 2 p.m. 

Responding officers arrived at the scene, which is a private home, to find the boy suffering from a gunshot wound in his chest. 

Emergency responders rushed the child to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died. 

Investigators believe the shooting happened inside the home. Detectives are questioning two minors and their parents who were inside the house when the shooting happened. 

"Public safety is our paramount concern for juveniles. We need the partnership and cooperation of homeowners. This incident occurred inside a residence," said Capt. Germain Dearlove with the Atlanta Police Department. 

What we don't know:

Authorities have not publicly identified the boy who was killed. 

It is currently unclear if the shooting was accidental or intentional, and police have not shared information regarding any potential suspects or what led to the gunfire.

What they're saying:

"After getting all evidence and getting all statements and confirming all that involved parties were there, that's when we can start making determinations on the person we speak to, so we're not going to guess now," Dearlove said. "We're going to get the full story, and then we will make our full report on it."

Michael Dennis, a longtime neighbor, said the news has shaken the community.

"This neighborhood is pretty peaceful most of the time. Every now and then we may hear something," Dennis said. "I encourage family stick together love one another; hug one another this is a space in life where everybody needs to just come together."

In response to the trend of youth-related violence, Dearlove offered a direct plea to adults in the community regarding gun storage.

"For parents and guardians, check your home, make sure these weapons are secured. If they have friends over, don't let them close that door, check on them, do periodic updates," Dearlove said.