Cobb County

21-year-old electrical contractor injured in East Cobb shooting has died

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A 21-year-old electrical contractor who was shot by an upset homeowner in Cobb County has died, family members said Thursday.

Jake Allen Horne was shot during an argument on Wellington Lane Wednesday afternoon. He later died of his injuries. His boss, Gordon Montcalm, 37, was also shot and was rushed to the hospital in serious condition.

Police said the homeowner -- later identified as 68-year-old Larry Joel Epstein -- got into an argument with the men, who were doing work at his home.

According to police, Epstein ended up firing shots at the men as they tried to leave after finishing their work for the day.

Channel 2's Chris Jose was on Wellington Court, where crime scene investigators were still going in and out of the home Thursday. Police even flew a drone over the home.

Channel 2 Action News first reported the situation when SWAT teams descended on the neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.

On Wednesday night, Jose watched as a tow truck hauled away the unmarked work truck with a bullet hole in it.

Neighbors told Jose that they saw one of the injured contractors running for his life. They also told Jose that Epstein is currently renovating his home and they've seen several contractors over the last several weeks.

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Jose spoke to Mike Gikemi, who is Montcalm's neighbor and knows his family. Police said Montcalm has several gunshot wounds to the face, neck and arm.

"I am saddened to know that it happened to somebody so close to us," Gikemi said. "You don't know when you leave the house to go to work that that might be your demise."

Horne's sister was not ready to go on camera, but gave Jose a picture of her brother, who she said was funny, caring and hardworking.

She said he died overnight after suffering a severe brain injury. The family is now planning a funeral.

A GoFundMe page started by the family is titled #JusticForJakeHorne.

Epstein was originally arrested and charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Investigators are working with the district attorney's office to upgrade some of those charges to murder.

He's being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.