Gwinnett Grandfather Shot Investigating Burglary

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A Gwinnett County grandfather was shot in the chest while he was investigating a burglary attempt at his family's home next door to his own.

Gwinnett County Police say that at about 11 a.m. on Friday, a 14-year-old Lawrenceville boy called his mother to tell her a silver car was parked in the driveway and someone was knocking on the door. The mother said she would call her father, who lives next door, so he could check on the teen.

The boy barricaded himself inside his bedroom and, shortly afterward, heard the house's main door break open.

Police say the boy continued to hear voices and other noise as the suspects ransacked his parents' bedroom. A man tried to force his way into the teen's bedroom but was unsuccessful, according to police.

Moments later, they say, the teen heard his grandfather enter the home and call out. The teen then heard a single gunshot and the grandfather suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

Both the boy and his grandfather called 911. A Gwinnett County Sheriff's deputy was able to place a chest seal on the man until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

The teen was not harmed, police said.

Police are searching for the suspects, but did not have detailed descriptions to release Monday morning.

File photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch