ATLANTA — A homeowner’s decision, according to police, to shoot two teens he says tried to steal his packages from his porch has left him behind bars.
Rakim Bradford faces serious charges after he was arrested Friday morning.
One of Bradford’s neighbors in the Villages of Cascade Townhome community told Channel 2’s Tom Jones she could understand Bradford’s frustrations
“I can. But to shoot them. I don’t know. I just don’t feel he should have shot him,” Nubian Barnes said.
Barnes said the shooting was excessive, and the teens could have been killed.
“And then he would have been facing murder charges. All because of a package that probably didn’t cost that much. Definitely didn’t cost a human life.”
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Atlanta police said it happened Thursday around 3:30 p.m. on Celeste Lane.
They said Bradford shot a 15-year-old boy in the foot. Police said he shot a second teen in the arm.
Both were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and are expected to survive.
Bradford now faces two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a felony.
Some people said they are fed up with crime and out-of-control teens, and they understand Bradford’s frustrations.
Others say the shooting went too far.
“That’s crazy to me. Like you call the police. That’s what police are for,” Reginald Boudreaux said.
Quin King also thought the shooting was way out of line.
“It’s just so much over packages. Packages can be replaced,” she said.
Barnes said Bradford is now in a world of trouble, his freedom in jeopardy over packages.
“If you feel that your packages are not gonna be safe. Do pickup,” he said.
Jones knocked on Bradford’s door to see if there was anyone to explain his side of the story. No one answered.
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