Atlanta

19-year-old dead after accidental house party shooting, Atlanta police say

ATLANTA — A 19-year-old is dead after a shooting at a party in southeast Atlanta.

Police told Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach that the shooting likely happened because of horseplay with a gun.

There was some type of gathering, possibly a birthday party, inside a short-term rental, but it ended in the tragic death of a teenager.

“It was definitely an accident based on what I saw,” one neighbor told Gehlbach, asking not to be identified.

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The neighbor said the party wasn’t loud or disruptive, and they didn’t think it was a gunshot at first.

“All of a sudden we heard the loud noise and came out front because we heard screaming,” the neighbor said.

Atlanta police arrived a little before midnight to find a 19-year-old with a gunshot wound.

“That was the impression I got: they were playing around with the gun, and someone somehow fired the gun and it hit this person,” the neighbor said.

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Neighbors thought the 19-year-old victim had been shot in his arm and saw the shooter stay at the scene.

“Then the police pulled up and told everyone he’s going to be OK, he’s going to be fine, he’s talking,” the neighbor said.

The teen was rushed off in an ambulance to the hospital, but later died from his injuries.

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“That’s shocking. I had no idea,” the neighbor said. “Completely senseless and (a) total accident. Can’t imagine what the kid who did it is going to go through.”

The neighbors did see a young man in handcuffs, but it’s unclear if he’ll face any charges.

We’re still working to find out where, or who, that gun came from.

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