A double-shooting early Saturday left one man dead and another man hospitalized.
Leontaye Johnson was shot during an attempted robbery at his house on the 2900 block of Nighthawk Drive, according to Richmond County Sheriff's Capt. Scott Peebles.
Johnson shot and killed the suspect, identified by the coroner's office as Anthony Washington.
Peebles said Washington had not broken into the house, but "was waiting for Johnson" when he came home. The incident occurred about 3:45 a.m.
Johnson acted in self-defense, and no charges have been filed, Peebles said.
Laverne Hatcher, who lives across the street, said she's been friends with Johnson and his wife, Tonya, for eight years.
She said Johnson had just worked a double shift as a cook at Chili's restaurant, and had gone to shoot pool with his brother.
"And that's what he came back home to," Hatcher said. "His nerves are really tore up because he can't believe he killed somebody."
Hatcher said the sound of gunshots woke her up.
"The first set was about four or five shots that sounded like pow pow," she said. "Then there were more that were really loud, like boom, boom, boom."
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Johnson with gunshot wounds to both arms. He was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital, where he asked hospital officials not to release his condition.
Johnson is the father of four daughters and two sons, Hatcher said. His wife works at a school.
"He's not the trouble type," she said. "He has cookouts at his house a lot, but he don't cause no trouble. He tries to get away from trouble."
The incident has neighbors concerned.
"I was shocked," said Leslie Edwards, who has lived on Nighthawk for two years. "It makes you want to get on guard and protect your family and your house. I didn't hear anything until the sheriff deputies knocked on my door. But, it was very alarming."
Peebles said there were no witnesses to the shooting.
Johnson must have the "boom, boom, boom, vs the "pow, pow".
Imagine if Johnson had not had a gun with him, he'd be dead right now.
Good for Mr. Johnson, here's hoping he makes a full recovery!