Car owner opens fire on teens breaking into his vehicle, killing one, cops say

One Atlanta teenager is dead and his 17-year-old accomplice faces a murder charge after their attempt at breaking into a vehicle led to an exchange of gunfire outside a shopping plaza, police said.

Around 4 p.m. Sept. 10, the Atlanta Police Department said two teenagers were breaking into a car when the owner of the vehicle came out of a store and confronted them.

Things escalated quickly, as gunfire was exchanged and both suspects were shot, but police did not state who fired first.

According to authorities, Dontavious Cobb, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene and his accomplice, 17-year-old Coby Senior, was wounded, but managed to run away.

Before running away, police said they believe Senior shot his gun at the car’s owner.

Senior was found about a half-mile away at a restaurant in Atlanta’s Peachtree Hills, authorities said.

Officials said Senior was taken to the hospital with a single gunshot wound.

The owner of the vehicle was detained and questioned after the shooting, but no charges were filed against him, police said.

On Sept. 11, police said Senior has been charged with felony murder in connection with Cobb’s death.

He is also being charged with entering an auto, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person under 18, authorities said. Georgia laws state a suspect can be charged with murder if their alleged accomplice is killed during the commission of a felony.

Authorities said Senior is still at Grady Memorial Hospital but will be moved to Fulton County Jail following his release.