The brother and a 19-year-old are now in custody in connection with the fatal shots, Pounds said.
DOUGLASVILLE, Georgia – The teenager charged with the accidental death of his older sister tried to shoot people allegedly trying to rob him, the Douglas County Sheriff said.
At a press conference Wednesday afternoon after 14-year-old Kyra Scott was tragically shot to death in Douglasville on Saturday night, Sheriff Tim Pounds said her 13-year-old brother admitted shooting her.
The brother and a 19-year-old are now in custody in connection with the fatal shots, Pounds said.
Authorities said the 19-year-old should buy a homemade gun that the 13-year-old made. The 19-year-old and another stranger allegedly robbed Kyra’s brother and tried to escape with a gun instead of paying. At the time, Pounds said gunshots had broken out and while trying to shoot the accused thieves, the 13-year-old boy accidentally shot his sister to death.
“Now this boy is 13 years old, but he makes guns. Half machine guns,” Pounds said. “And he sells these guns all over the streets of Douglas County, Carroll County, Atlanta.”
Pounds said the teen made guns from start to finish. Investigators said they believe the weapon Kyra was used to kill was one of her brother’s.
Part of the hectic scene took place at the Marathon gas station on Steward Mill Road. According to Douglas County MPs, the family stopped at the gas station and pleaded for help after the 14-year-old was gunshot wounds. The family later told 11Alive they stopped there while rushing to the hospital.
A cashier who was working when it happened said he came out and there was a crowd around Kyra when she lay motionless on the floor. The sheriff’s office said first responders had arrived at the scene and performed CPR and other life saving measures, but it was too late. Kyra did not survive her injuries.
Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine described the shooting as “a tragedy of epic proportions”.
“An unspeakable loss for your family. This loss is absolutely pointless,” said Racine.
Once the investigation was turned over to their office, Racine said they would then investigate the relevant charges. The family told 11Alive that both the 13-year-old and 19-year-old were charged with the murder, but Racine said any charges originally brought by law enforcement would be reviewed by prosecutors. She said no decisions would be made until her office had the full files.
“It’s so sad,” said Pounds. “A mother loses two children at the same time.”
Lieutenant John Mauney, of the sheriff’s office, said authorities are unsure how long the teen has been making guns and are currently investigating possible gun charges. Pounds said investigators are also interested in a third person in connection with Kyra’s shooting, but have not disclosed her identity.
Kyra was a freshman to high school, according to the family. They had recently moved to Douglasville from Gwinnett County.
“This baby was badly received,” Kyra’s aunt Angela Berry previously told 11Alive. “Now it’s even more tragedy.”
