Police are investigating the shooting deaths of 2 children during an early morning home invasion in Jonesboro, GA.
Sister and brother Tatiyana Coates, 11, and 15-year-old Daveon Coates were killed by robbers who forced their way into the Clayton County home early Saturday morning.
At least 3 other children — ages 6 to 13 — were inside the house when the burglars began shooting. They were unharmed. One of the children called 911.
Neighbors also called 911 to report hearing gunfire at 5 a.m. The children were home alone when the deadly home invasion occurred. Their parents were out “socializing” at another location, according to investigators.
Police are investigating to determine is anything was taken during the home invasion.
Police say 2 families lived in the house on Libby Lane in the Marlborough subdivision.
Authorities believe the house was targeted by individuals known to the family.
A neighbor, Joy Shilengay, said the 2 families moved into the house about a month ago. Prior to that, she said, the house sat vacant for two years.
Shilengay told WSB-TV she often saw the children playing outside, and that their parents were generally friendly.
The violence shattered the normally tranquil neighborhood just south of Atlanta.
“I’ve been living here for three years and nothing like this has ever happened,” Shilengay told 11Alive’s Erin Calandra. “But in this day and age, anything is possible. People don’t care.”
