Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in September 2019, amid recent reports of a surge in violent crime and robberies across America during the pandemic.
A Rockdale County coroner has identified the three teenagers fatally shot during an alleged attempted robbery.
The three masked teenagers have been identified as Isaiah Reid, Brandon Gresham, and Jaime Hernandez. Police initially stated that two of the boys were 16 years old and the third was 15.
Coroner George Levett announced that the autopsy results would not be available for a few weeks. The autopsies are being handled by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Photo Credit: CBS 17
Speaking to 11Alive, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett stated that the three teens were looking to rob the homeowner and his family in the middle of the night.
“When deputies arrived, they did find masks on the [faces of the deceased] young men,” he said.
The incident occurred just after 4 a.m. in Conyers, off Flat Shoals Road on White Oak Court.
Photo Credit: CBS 17
The sheriff stated that one of the suspects brandished a handgun and fired at the residents before one of the intended victims returned fire.
A family member stated that 16-year-old Reid and 15-year-old Hernandez were brothers.
Photo Credit: CBS 17
The homeowner, through a neighbor, stated that he was not ready to issue a comment regarding the incident.
The sheriff stated that the incident was still under investigation, to determine if the homeowner will face any charges or if it is a self-defense case.