SMYRNA, Ga. — Families in a Cobb neighborhood are watching their children more closely after police say an intruder held a woman and her kids against their will.
Darius Smith, 26, is accused of trespassing and threatening to kill the mother and her 15-year-old son.
It happened at the Kenwood Creek Apartments. A neighbor told Channel 2 Action News the chaos erupted on Tuesday morning.
"(It makes) you think twice about leaving your kids outside by themselves running around or playing without being supervised," neighbor Michael Fenceroy said.
A police spokesperson did not know why the man targeted the family, but according to an arrest warrant Channel 2's Cobb County Bureau Chief Chris Jose obtained, Smith "intimidated and threatened to shoot a 15-year-old, with intent to murder, by pointing a loaded firearm at his head, causing the juvenile to have an anxiety attack."
Police said Smith also pointed a gun at the teen's mother. The woman's 12-year-old son witnessed the suspect pointing the gun at their heads, according to police.
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"I don't know that person. It could be something personal. We don't know," a neighbor said. "It's like people in the world right now are just.... It's so much going on."
The unknowns have some neighbors worried.
Jose knocked on the victims' door to get some answers, but no one answered.
Police said Smith went to the apartment complex with hostile intent and threatened the lives of the residents.
Jail records show he does not live there.
"It's unfortunate. I hope the lady and her kids are OK and move forward past this," Fenceroy said.
Jose is working to find out if the incident was random or if Smith had a relationship with the victims.
Jose learned that Smith, who faces a dozen charges, including aggravated assault with intent to murder, is no stranger to police.
Court records show Smith has been arrested for criminal trespass before. He was also arrested for drugs and obstruction.
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