19-year-old murdered, police search for gunman

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities are searching for the gunman who shot and killed a 19-year-old  at a DeKalb County apartment complex and are working to find a motive for the brutal crime. 

The ordeal happened Saturday around 7 p.m. at the Paradise East apartments off Bouldercrest Drive Southeast. Police said people called 911 about a report of a person shot, and found the teenager deceased behind a building.

Neighbors said they ducked for cover during the gunfire, and the young man's mother later rushed to find her own son killed. Authorities were not able to confirm for FOX 5 Sunday night the identity of the victim.

"She's not doing well. But we pray with her," said Stacey Harris, who said she considered the murdered teenager like a son to her; she said her own son and the young man went to high school at McNair High together, and graduated last year. "Respectable young man," she said.

Police said the same night, a mile away on Hatsfield Circle, an 18-year-old was injured in connection to the incident; the teenager was transported to the hospital with what police could only describe as a minor wound.

Police are still looking for leads to solve the case. Anyone with information is asked to call DeKalb Police or Crime Stoppers.