New leads in violent home invasion

ATLANTA, Ga. - UPDATE: Atlanta Police have now released what they believe to be the vehicle driven by the suspects in a violent home invasion on Sumter Street. Officers say the vehicle is believed to be a newer Black Jeep Patriot. 

If you have any information you are encourage to call the Atlanta Police Department. at 404-816-7067

Surveillance Video Released:

Atlanta Police hope the release of new surveillance video and a sketch of one suspect leads to arrests following Monday's violent home invasion in Northwest Atlanta.

The sketch shows an African-American male with a unique stud piercing right between his eyes. Investigators hope that distinctive feature will lead to an arrest. The surveillance video appears to show four men walking down the street near the Lash's house shortly before the attack. Those same men are later shown running back down the street.

The video, which was provided to the police by a company across the street, then shows the men fleeing the scene.

The video was provided to the police by a company across the street from the home.

Atlanta Police have said it is unlikely the attack is gang-related; however, investigators have not released any information regarding a possible motive. 

Police said that due to the type of incident, they have raised the reward to $5,000. Anyone with further information is asked to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477).

Family finds strength in faith despite crime

Their victims in the attack are reacting in a way that may surprise you. During the robbery Michael Lash was shot in both legs after he told two of the four young people they could not come inside.

They did not listen, barged in and began firing. Lash began citing scripture, according to his mother-in-law Jessica Huffman. 

She says Lash expressed forgiveness and while in the ambulance, told paramedics he wished he could hug all four boys to show them that somebody loves them.

A northwest Atlanta mother with a baby in her arms ducks away from gunfire as her home is being robbed.

The woman's mother, Jessica Huffman, recounts the terrifying minutes that followed a knock on the family's door. Two teens faked needing assistance with a disabled car. 

Officers told FOX 5 the men asked for a car jack, and then forced their way inside. Police said the robbers fired at the mother as she ran to her infant. Police said she grabbed her child and ran outside the home.

The wife and mother did not see the encounter, but heard the shots and knew her husband had been hit.

A few moments later, bullets began ricochet off the walls and mother with her baby ran away. But one of the teens caught up to her and pointed his weapon at her. The mother appealed, asking the gunman that their lives be spared. That teen decided not to shoot and asked for her cell phone instead.

Police got there within three minutes, according to the mother-in-law, because the wife had already called 911.

Atlanta Police released the 911 calls of that terrifying ordeal.

"We're being robbed at gunpoint," the mother tells the 911 operator in the recording FOX 5 obtained. "I ran outside with my baby. There's a black young man at the door. He pulled a gun on my husband."

The woman stopped speaking during the 911 call after screams can be heard. Police said the father was shot in both legs, as four teenage robbers entered the home.

The husband who was shot in both legs is being treated by doctors.

Investigators said a cell phone was the only item stolen from the home. Monday, police said no suspects had been identified.

If you would like to help the family you can donate at gofundme.com/jh22z2c4.

Officer cool under pressure

Information released by Atlanta authorities point out how one officer took the right steps to make sure a gunshot victim had a chance to survive.

On the northwest side of the city, teens faked a request about a disabled vehicle when they knocked on the door to a home.

A young family lives there. When the husband answered the door, two of the teens pushed the man back. One began firing, striking the man in both legs. The wife ran and made a call to 911.

The robbers fled with two cell phones.

The first officer on the scene, T. Thomas, saw the gunshot victim bleeding heavily and feared he would go into shock. Officer Thomas instructed the wife to get him a stool so he could prop up both of the victim's legs to regulate blood flow. That action stabilized the victim until Grady Paramedics could arrive.