An Atlanta man has been taken into custody after allegedly shooting a boy who was attempting to break into his vehicle.
Officials informed a local news outlet that police were dispatched to the Fairburn Maze area, located about 20 miles south of downtown Atlanta, shortly before 3 a.m. following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a boy under 18 with a gunshot wound to the leg. The boy reportedly admitted he had been shot during the car break-in.
He was transported to a children’s hospital and is anticipated to recover.
The car’s owner, identified as 51-year-old Yoshay Carter, told police that the shooting occurred after he confronted the boy. Carter was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated assault.
He has since been booked into the Fulton County Jail.
According to Georgia law, individuals can use force to defend property, but this right has specific limitations.
The law permits force if a person believes it is necessary to prevent criminal interference with their legally owned property. However, using force that could result in death or serious injury is generally not justified unless there’s a reasonable belief that such action is needed to avert a “forcible felony.”
Additionally, Georgia’s “no obligation to retreat” law allows individuals to use force in self-defense, home defense, or property defense without having to retreat.
As of now, police have not disclosed whether the self-defense laws will apply to the situation that unfolded on Friday.
