Grandfather shot during Gwinnett home invasion; Lookout for 3 suspects, vehicle

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Police are searching for three suspects after a grandfather was shot during a home-invasion in Lawrenceville, according to Gwinnett County Police.

The victim remains in critical but stable condition at a hospital, and his 14-year-old grandson, who was inside the home at the time, was unharmed.

Full descriptions of the suspects have not been released, but police say they are also searching for a silver vehicle.  Officers say this started at what seemed to be a burglary.  The 14-year-old was home alone and called his mother for help.

"The mother of the child decided to call her father who lived next door.  The father came over and interrupted the burglary in progress.  At some point and time, he was shot once in the chest," Gwinnett County police Corporal Deon Washington told FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor.

Around 11 a.m. on August 18, police say the teen called his mother to tell her that a silver car was parked in the driveway and someone was knocking at the door. The mother then called her father, James Ruark

who lived next door, to go check on the teen.

Police say the teen barricaded himself inside his bedroom and heard the main door break open. The child heard voices as the thieves ransacked his parent’s room, police said. One of the suspects tried to break into the child’s room, but was unsuccessful.

A short while later, the grandfather entered the residence and called out to the teen, police said. A single gunshot was fired, striking the grandfather in the chest.

Emergency personnel were called to the scene and the grandfather was rushed to the hospital. Officers say a Gwinnett county sheriff's deputy likely helped to save the grandfather's life.

"That sheriff's deputy actually applied a chest seal to the victim while our officers rendered aid as well, " Corporal Washington reported.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call 911 immediately.