Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

Police identify squatter killed at DeKalb County home

By Daniel Funke
July 21, 2015

DeKalb County police have identified the squatter who was fatally shot at a house on South Ponce de Leon Avenue on Monday.

James Thornton, 40, died after being shot in the 1700 block of South Ponce de Leon Avenue, according to police.

The homeowner's relative, 39-year-old Terrance Medina, is charged with murder in the shooting, DeKalb County police told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was booked into the DeKalb County Jail.

Channel 2 Action News reported Medina was sent to the residence to check on it while the homeowner was out of town. After encountering Thornton, Medina allegedly shot and killed him, according to the station.

Neighbors told Channel 2 the vacant house was a target for squatters in the past.

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