by Atlanta, GA — A Georgia man has been arrested months after authorities say he fatally shot his girlfriend’s teenage son, mistakenly believing the boy was a burglar entering the home. The tragic incident, which happened in early September, has now led to a series of serious charges filed against the accused shooter.
Teen Killed After Entering Home Through Back Door
The fatal shooting occurred on September 1, when officers from the Atlanta Police Department (APD) responded to a report of a person shot at a residence in southwest Atlanta. When officers arrived, they found 16-year-old Dequavius Royalston unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
APD Commander Andrew Smith previously told that Royalston had entered the home through the back door just before he was shot. Investigators say someone inside believed a break-in was underway — a mistaken assumption that cost the teenager his life.
“He was returning home and was thought to be an intruder,” Commander Smith explained in an earlier briefing.
According to early police statements, the individual suspected in the shooting fled the residence shortly after the gunfire, prompting an extended investigation into the incident.
Months-Long Investigation Leads to Arrest
Authorities identified 28-year-old Quinterrious Turner, the boyfriend of Royalston’s mother, as the suspected shooter. Despite initial leads, the case remained open for several months while detectives continued to piece together the events of that night.
Turner ultimately surrendered himself on November 18 at the Fulton County Jail, where he was taken into custody without incident. APD officials confirmed he had been on their radar since the early days of the investigation.
He now faces multiple charges, including:
- Murder
- Aggravated assault
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
Police say Turner left the home immediately after the shooting, complicating the investigation and delaying the filing of charges.
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Family and Community Still Seeking Answers
Royalston’s death has shaken the local community, where friends and family say the teenager was simply returning home on what should have been an ordinary evening. Loved ones have questioned how such a fatal misidentification could have occurred and why Turner fled the scene instead of seeking help.
Neighbors near the southwest Atlanta home described the area as generally quiet, noting that burglaries do happen but are not common enough to justify a reflexive shooting. Some expressed frustration, saying that fear and impulsive reactions have increasingly led to tragic outcomes nationwide.
The APD has not shared additional details about the moments leading up to the gunfire, or whether Royalston announced himself when entering the house. Investigators also have not specified how many shots were fired or whether anyone else was present.
Police did confirm that the teenager lived at the residence and had every right to be there that night.
Charges Highlight Turner’s Prior Record
Authorities also emphasized that Turner is a convicted felon, making his possession of a firearm illegal. His criminal history, combined with his decision to flee after the shooting, factored heavily into the charges he now faces.
Legal analysts note that Georgia’s self-defense “castle doctrine” does not shield individuals who recklessly or negligently use deadly force — particularly when the victim is a household member. Prosecutors are expected to focus on Turner’s failure to verify the identity of the person entering the home, as well as his departure from the scene.
Turner remains held as prosecutors prepare to move forward with the case in Fulton County.
What Comes Next
As the case proceeds, detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and gather additional evidence to establish a full timeline of events. Court records listing Turner’s initial hearing date have not yet been made public.
The shooting has reignited debate in Georgia about responsible firearm use, home protection laws and the importance of de-escalation — especially in homes with children and teens who may come and go at different hours.
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