Police in Atlanta said a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed by his stepfather in an incident that may have been related to the CCP virus pandemic.
Bernie Hargrove, 42, was charged in the slaying of De’onte Roberts, 16, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing Atlanta Police.
The teen’s mother told authorities that Roberts defied his mother and stepfather’s demands to stay inside during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus outbreak. He left the house before coming back.
“Later, the victim returned to the home and kicked in the door to the house where a physical fight began between the suspect and the victim,” Atlanta Police spokesman Steve Avery said in a statement to the New York Post. “During that altercation, the victim was shot.”
The teen was shot by Hargrove several times on Wednesday evening, said police in local news outlets. Roberts was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and was later pronounced dead.
Police added in a statement to WSB-TV that Roberts, after breaking down the door, punched Hargrove in the face.
Roberts’ mother and a younger sibling were inside the house when the shooting took place, said authorities.
In a statement to WSB, Atlantia officials called on people who are sheltering-in-place to remain clam.
“When the pressure gets hot, you just have to take a deep breath and you have to separate. People are on top of each other right now. We’re staying in the house,” Atlanta Police Capt. D’Andrea Price said.
