A DeKalb County man was arrested Friday and charged with the shooting death of a 20-year-old at a house party late Wednesday near Snellville.

Damien Kinard Reddick, 19, of Lithonia, is accused of shooting Cory Johnson outside a home in the 4200 block of Trotters Way Lane, near Bethany Church Road, according to Gwinnett County police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith. Johnson was shot and killed while trying to prevent other party-goers from getting hurt, according to his family.

About 50 college-age people were at the party, which spilled to the backyard. What was supposed to be a gathering of friends turned tragic when uninvited guests arrived, Johnson's family said. Neighbors told the AJC Thursday they heard yelling and screaming just before shots were fired around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Reddick faces murder and aggravated assault charges, police said. He was booked into the Gwinnett County jail shortly after 5 p.m. and was being held Friday night without bond.

Johnson's mother told the AJC late Friday her son was trying to prevent others from getting hurt when he was shot in the back. The victim's friends have described a chaotic scene that started with two girls fighting and escalated, Stephanie Ponteau told the AJC.

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