Police say the 34-year-old fired as two juveniles tried to take a package outside his door.
ATLANTA, GA — A southwest Atlanta homeowner was arrested Friday after police said he shot two teenagers during an alleged porch package theft outside his townhome Thursday afternoon on Celeste Lane. One teen, 16, was critically hurt but expected to survive; the other suffered a less serious wound, authorities said.
Atlanta police identified the homeowner as Rakim Bradford, 34, and said he faces two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. The shooting unfolded about 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Villages of Cascade townhome community as holiday deliveries and package theft concerns peak. Investigators said the teens were attempting to take a parcel when shots were fired. The case, now past the initial response phase, moves into interviews, evidence reviews and charging decisions that could test Georgia’s self-defense standards against alleged property theft.
Officers were called to the complex shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found the juveniles wounded near a porch and walkway, according to police. Neighbors described a burst of shouting followed by gunfire. “It’s a sad situation,” said Nubian Barnes, who lives in the complex. Another resident, Andrew Julian, said package theft worries have grown but the shooting felt “too excessive” for what was happening outside the door. Both teens were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where the 16-year-old was listed in critical condition Thursday evening and later stabilized, police said. Detectives canvassed the area, collected shell casings and reviewed security camera footage from nearby homes.
Police said the confrontation centered on at least one package left outside Bradford’s unit. Investigators did not immediately release how many rounds were fired, where the teens were struck or who called 911. The teens were described as a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old; their names were not released because of their ages. Detectives said they were working to confirm whether other people were present and whether the package belonged to Bradford. As of Friday afternoon, police had not announced the recovery of any other weapons at the scene. The department said statements from the teens, once medically cleared, will be part of the investigation, along with video and physical evidence collected at the complex.
The incident comes amid a seasonal rise in package theft complaints across metro Atlanta and other cities as online orders stack up on porches. Residents in the Villages of Cascade said they have seen delivery trucks making frequent stops and packages left for hours along the building fronts. In recent years, Georgia lawmakers and prosecutors have faced public pressure to address thefts while also navigating limits on the use of force to defend property. Police emphasized Friday that investigations into shootings tied to suspected thefts are fact-specific and that evidence from cameras and witness accounts often shapes charging decisions. The neighbors interviewed Friday said they had called management before about security lighting and cameras in common areas.
Bradford was taken into custody Friday and booked on the aggravated assault and firearms charges. Police said the case file will be forwarded to prosecutors for review once detectives complete key interviews and evidence testing. No juvenile charges related to the alleged theft had been announced as of Friday evening. Authorities said any additional counts, including potential property crime charges, would be determined after statements are gathered and the value of the package is documented. A first court appearance for Bradford was expected over the weekend, with a bond decision to follow. Police said updates would be released after prosecutors review the investigative packet.
By midafternoon Friday, crime-scene tape was gone from the complex but residents still paused near the stoops where deliveries stack up each day. A courier dropped boxes on a nearby porch and hurried back to a van while a maintenance worker swept the walkway. “We all want our stuff to be there when we get home,” Julian said, adding that people are on edge this time of year. Barnes said neighbors planned to check on the teens and their families. Parents walking children from a school bus said they had talked about choosing indoor delivery spots after seeing police cruisers and an ambulance the day before.
As of Friday evening, both teenagers remained hospitalized in stable condition, police said. Detectives were still gathering statements and video; prosecutors are expected to outline next steps after Bradford’s first appearance, anticipated this weekend.
Author note: Last updated December 12, 2025.