Robbers shoot man, attack woman in violent home invasion

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A husband was shot and killed and a wife were attacked in a home invasion, and drugs have been named as a motive for the crime, police said.

Investigators said the ordeal happened around 2 a.m. Sunday in the 1300 block of McClendon Drive.

The wife told investigators, according to the police report, she was sitting on the patio when two men approached the property. She wrestled with one of them, while the other man confronted her husband.

The man was shot and the robbers fled. Emergency crews transported the man to the hospital but he died en route.

Investigators identified the victim as Teddy Mierzwa, the owner of local landscaping company Garden Gnomes who was well-liked in the community. 

Police described the discovery of drugs in the home as "large sums of narcotics" and did not elaborate on their find. The wife, Gracie Beavers, was arrested on charges of trafficking marijuana.

One gunman is described as a 6'4" black male with a thin build, long dreadlocks and wearing all black.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DeKalb County Police. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS for a reward up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.