Decatur Police have taken two suspects into custody following a violent encounter on Thursday that left a landscaper shot during a robbery attempt. The incident occurred just after 5 p.m. near the intersection of Clairmont Avenue and Maediris Drive, as reported by FOX 5. The landscaping crew was targeted while they worked, and surveillance footage captured 17-year-old Jonquai Holt and 22-year-old Jeffrey Thorpe fleeing through nearby yards.
Authorities were alerted to the 1000 block of Clairemont Avenue around 5:16 p.m., following calls about the shooting. WSB-TV notes that the victim, whose personal details have been withheld, was urgently transported to a hospital for treatment.
Residents have raised alarms regarding the safety of their community. According to an interview obtained by FOX 5, local occupant Josh Rich expressed his shock and concern, especially considering the location's proximity to a school bus stop frequented by children. "This is a pretty quiet neighborhood, but over the past year, we have seen a few incidents where I see a lack of police presence. I think that could help deter some of it," Rich commented, suggesting that a stronger police presence might act as a deterrent to further criminal activity.
Landscapers are increasingly seen as easy prey for opportunistic criminals, notes Lt. John Bender of the Decatur Police. "Thieves think they are an easy target because they have a large truck with thousands of dollars in equipment left there on the street," Bender said elaborating on the need for such workers to utilize locked, secure trailers and maintain visibility around their work areas. His advice to landscapers: "If they can have someone in the front of the house and the back of the house, it can help keep an eye on things," he told FOX 5.
First responders emphasize that the victims of robberies should prioritize their safety above all. Lt. Bender advises, "Hand over the item and call the police. Be a really good witness to what happened, but don't try to resolve it right then," further stressing the importance of alerting authorities over confrontation, as mentioned by FOX 5. The suspects, Holt and Thorpe, now face charges of firearm possession, armed robbery, and aggravated assault and are currently held at the DeKalb County Jail, pending legal proceedings.
