A man was fatally shot Wednesday when three men broke into his Butts County home, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Derrick Denson, 40, was shot around 9 p.m. when three men forced their way into his home on Shoemaker Street in Jackson. His 23-year-old nephew and a 13-year-old girl, another relative, were also inside the home at the time, the news station reported.
The men demanded that Denson and his nephew get on the floor, and his nephew fought back, Butts County sheriff’s spokesman Lawson Bittick told Channel 2.
At some point during the ordeal, Denson took a bullet, Bittick said. He later died at an area hospital.
His cousin, Lester Clark, told the news station Denson lived a quiet life and mostly kept to himself. He does not know why his family was targeted.
In Jackson, a city of less than 5,000 people, Clark said his family is well-known. Many of his relatives are ministers in the community. He called the shooting “an unreal situation.”
The family is no stranger to grief. In 2010, Denson’s mother was killed during a domestic dispute, Channel 2 reported. Clark is hoping someone comes forward to offer closure in Denson’s death.
“It’s a small town, you know, everybody knows everybody,” he said. “So someone do know something.”
The sheriff’s office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact contact Sgt. Brad Hamby at 770-775-8216.
Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for additional rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
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