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Teen killed in accidental DeKalb shooting ID’d; gun’s origins unclear

Rodderick Holder, 17, was killed in an apparent accidental shooting early Saturday at an apartment complex on Meadowglen Village Lane. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
Rodderick Holder, 17, was killed in an apparent accidental shooting early Saturday at an apartment complex on Meadowglen Village Lane. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
Feb 1, 2016

DeKalb County police have released the identity of the teenager killed early Saturday in an accidental shooting — but where the gun that killed him came from remains unclear.

Police said 17-year-old Rodderick Holder was one of five teenagers “handling a handgun” just after midnight Saturday morning at an apartment complex on Meadowglen Village Lane.

“While handling the gun, and 16-year-old male pointed the gun at [Holder] and pulled the trigger,” DeKalb police Maj. S.R. Fore said in an emailed statement. “The gun discharged, striking [Holder] in the face.”

Holder later died at Grady Memorial Hospital. The 16-year-old ran home, told family members he shot someone and was driven back to the scene, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The teen was later charged with involuntary manslaughter. Because he is a juvenile, his identity has not been released.

Police believe the shooting was accidental.

“Detectives are still investigating the origins of the gun,” Fore said.

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