A 16-year-old Atlanta boy is dead after his mother’s boyfriend mistook him for a burglar and shot him early Monday morning as he was returning home.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’ Office identified the victim as Daquavius Royalston, according to WAGA.
“It seems to be a genuine tragedy,” stated Lt. Andrew Smith, the Commander of the Atlanta Police Homicide Unit. “The 16-year-old lived at the residence, and one of the home’s occupants apparently believed him to be an intruder attempting a break-in, leading to them opening fire.”
Smith described the shooter as “the mother’s significant other” and indicated that the individual fled the scene following the incident. Police are currently trying to locate him, and Smith mentioned that it is “too early to determine” whether charges will be brought against him or if he might be released without consequences after the fatal shooting of his girlfriend’s son.
According to WANF, the incident took place just before 3:30 a.m. in a gated community called Monticello Park.
Police did not provide the killer’s name but said they know who he is.
