Cops: East Cobb man blamed pet deaths on electrician before deadly shooting

Larry Joel Epstein

Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office

Larry Joel Epstein

A doorbell camera was recording when an east Cobb County man shot two electrical workers at his home earlier this month, resulting in one worker’s death, police said in court Tuesday.

Larry Epstein, 68, confronted electrician Gordon Montcalm as he was preparing to leave Epstein’s Wellington Lane home March 6 after performing work. He allegedly accused Montcalm of killing his pets before he opened fire, The Associated Press reported.

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According to information presented in court, Epstein could be heard in the video saying “you killed my pets" before shooting Montcalm several times.

Montcalm, 37, of Buchanan, was shot in the face, neck and arm. He was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital in serious condition. His status was not clear Wednesday.

Montcalm’s employee, 21-year-old Jake Horne of Marietta, was shot in the head. When police and SWAT officers responded to the home, they found Horne unresponsive outside.

He later died at a hospital.

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Jake Horne

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Cobb County Detective Phil Stoddard testified there was no evidence any pets were harmed, The AP reported. Epstein’s defense asked the court to order a mental evaluation.

Epstein appeared before a judge Tuesday for a probable cause hearing. He is now waiting for a grand jury to consider charges of murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery.

Epstein remained in the Cobb County jail without bond Wednesday.