ATLANTA — What started as an ordinary Thursday afternoon in a southwest Atlanta townhome community quickly turned into a tense and chaotic scene that now has a homeowner facing serious criminal charges and two teenagers fighting to recover from gunshot wounds. Around 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Villages of Cascade on Celeste Lane, Atlanta Police say two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, were shot while allegedly stealing packages from homes in the complex.
Police say the homeowner, 37‑year‑old Rakim Bradford, confronted the teens as they were taking deliveries from porches in the gated community. What exactly was said in those moments isn’t fully clear, but officers later learned that a firearm was discharged during the encounter. Bradford was subsequently arrested and booked on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to Atlanta authorities.
Officers who arrived on scene found the 15‑year‑old boy with a gunshot wound to his right foot. Emergency crews also rushed the 16‑year‑old, who had been shot in his right arm and was in critical condition, to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery. Police later confirmed that he is expected to survive his injuries.
Neighbors told reporters they often see packages left on front porches in the bustling southwest Atlanta neighborhood, especially during the busy holiday season. Some residents said they’ve been frustrated with recent thefts, while others worry about how quickly confrontations can escalate when firearms are involved. “It’s scary,” one Villages of Cascade resident said. “We want our stuff safe, but we also don’t want kids shot.”
Atlanta Police are continuing their investigation, reviewing body camera footage and interviewing witnesses to determine the full sequence of events. Police spokespersons have not yet released details on whether Bradford claimed self‑defense or what statements, if any, he gave during questioning. Legal experts say Georgia’s self‑defense laws can be complex and hinge on whether the homeowner reasonably feared for his safety.
Bradford remains in custody as prosecutors build their case. The aggravated assault charges carry significant prison time if he is convicted, and the added felony firearm charge could lead to enhanced sentencing under Georgia law. A spokesperson for the Fulton County District Attorney’s office said they are reviewing the case and will decide whether to pursue additional charges.
As the community absorbs the shock of the shooting, questions about neighborhood safety, property crime, and the appropriate use of force continue to swirl. Family members of the injured teens have not yet spoken publicly, and police are urging anyone with video or information from the scene to come forward as the investigation continues.
