ATLANTA — New video shows the moments before two 15-year-olds shot a security guard at Lenox, leaving him in critical condition.
Police said the teen boy and girl confronted the guard outside of Lenox Square after the mall had closed on Sunday night.
Video posted on Instagram account Atlanta Uncensored shows the moments one of the two masked teens pointed a gun at the guard and records the sound of the gunshots.
The teens fled the mall and were caught at the nearby Westin Hotel and taken into custody.
Police said the guard, who has only been identified as a man in his early 40s, is in critical but stable condition.
The teens’ identities have not been released because they are juveniles. Police said they don’t think this is either teen’s first encounter with law enforcement.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Police said they believe the teens were trying to steal the guard’s keys to the Apple store, but that will have to be determined during the trial.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Deputy, two others shot following fight over mask in DeKalb County
- Two 15-year-olds arrested in connection with Lenox Square shooting; Security guard listed as critical
- Off duty flight attendant creates havoc, causes Delta plane to be diverted Saturday
The teens have been charged with:
- Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder.
- Armed Robbery
- Aggravated Assault
- Tampering with Evidence
- Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under the Age of 18 Years
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a FelonyInvestigators say it is unclear at this time exactly how this incident began.
Atlanta police K9s found a firearm near the scene.
Police said they are searching for someone in a small blue car that may be connected to the incident. Police are going through surveillance video to try to figure out if there are any other suspects in the case.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Witnesses tell Channel 2′s Mike Petchenik that they saw people running for cover before hearing several gunshots inside the mall.
Dr. Jack Potter witnessed the deadly parking lot shooting at Lenox Square in March of last year. He said the crime in the area is out of control.
“There’s just too much crime in Buckhead right now,” Potter said.
Atlanta city councilman Julian Bond said there is a deeper problem when it comes to young people and crime in the city.
“Prior to the pandemic, the city had a lot of community centers open,” Bond said. “We had our camps and summer jobs programs. But we have to go beyond that. We have to do something to more directly intervene in the lives of these children.”
©2021 Cox Media Group
