Stand Your Ground: Georgia Homeowner Kills 3 Masked Teens In Yard

ROCKDALE, GA — A homeowner with a semi-automatic rifle shot and killed three armed and masked teenagers — brothers ages 15 and 16 and another 15-year-old — Monday after they attempted to burglarize a home in Rockdale County, authorities said. The teens reportedly confronted the resident outside his home about 4 a.m., opened fire and were then fatally shot by the man.

The names of the teens and the homeowner have not been released, and no charges have been filed.

This case has the potential to turn into an example of the "stand your ground" law, which Georgia has to protect victims who defend themselves when threatened. While some states have versions that require the victim to retreat from danger before attempting deadly force, Georgia does not.

"I heard a guy yelling for help. 'Help me, help me, I'm dying, I'm dying, help me, help me,'" neighbor Brian Jenkins told WSB.

Neighbors told the TV station that the homeowner who shot the teens is a truck driver who owns a semi-automatic rifle and is highly protective of his mother.

Rockdale County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Deputy Lee Thomas posted on the department's Facebook that officers were called to a residence on White Oak Court in Conyers, Georgia. Deputies found three boys with gunshot wounds and began administering first aid. Two of the teens were taken to an area hospital, where they were pronounced dead from their injuries, while one was pronounced dead at the shooting scene. They were later identified as juveniles from Conyers, Thomas said.

The sheriff's office said the three were killed during a shoot-out with the resident on White Oak Court. Investigators say the three teens had their faces covered as they approached the residence and attempted to rob three people in the front yard, Thomas said. One of the attempted-robbery suspects fired shots at the residents before one of the intended robbery victims returned fire.

Georgia law says, "A person who uses threats or force in accordance with Code Section 16-3-21, relating to the use of force in defense of self or others, Code Section 16-3-23, relating to the use of force in defense of a habitation, or Code Section 16-3-24, relating to the use of force in defense of property other than a habitation, has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and use force as provided in said Code sections, including deadly force."

The victims of the attempted robbery were not hurt.

The investigation is still active, and the Sheriff's Office is asking for anyone with information in connection with the shootings to contact the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office at 770-278-8000 and speak with Investigator Dwayne Smith or Sgt. Jeremy Best.