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Resident shoots, kills person allegedly trying to break into apartment, police say

The resident will not be charged in the shooting.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A person was killed Thursday morning after DeKalb County Police officers said they were attempting to break into an apartment home. 

Police received a call that a person was shot around the 2800 block of Panthersville Court at 1:45 a.m.  When officers arrived, they found the person dead.

Police said the resident of the apartment shot the suspect because they were allegedly trying to break in. 

Daleonte Harris, who lives in the apartment complex, said he's still coming to grips with what he heard and saw.

“I heard about 10 shots last night," Harris said.

“I saw a lot of police back here. It’s just crazy, man," Harris said. 

Harris said gunshots are so common in this complex, it didn't even phase him.

“Folks shoot for fun around here, and you don’t know where a bullet could come from," Harris said. "Every day it’s something with a shooting. Every day. All types of people around here are dropping like flies.”

Residents saw the man killed around the complex several times and believe he was homeless. 

“He had a good spirit around him. He’d give you his last nickel, dime, penny, if he could," Harris said.  

There is no information from police about if the alleged intruder was armed; the person's name has not been released.

Police said the resident will not be charged, indicating they believe the shooting was in self-defense. 

   

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