Stepfather fatally shoots 16-year-old boy during fight over coronavirus stay-at-home order: police

Bernie Hargrove, 42, was charged early Thursday with felony murder in the death of De’onte Roberts, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot in the chest by his stepfather Wednesday night after a dispute following the state’s shelter-in-place order, Atlanta police said.

Bernie Hargrove, 42, allegedly shot De’onte Roberts after the teen left the family’s home and returned.

“The victim’s mother told detectives that that there had been a dispute earlier in the day when the 16-year-old refused his parents orders to remain in the home and comply with recent shelter in place directives,” Atlanta Police Officer Steve Avery said in a statement to the Daily News.

“Later, the victim returned to the home and kicked in the door to the house where a physical fight began between the suspect and the victim. During that altercation the victim was shot,” Avery said.

Police responded to the family’s residence around 8:20 p.m. for an emergency call about the shooting.

Roberts was rushed to Grady Hospital but died of his wounds.

Hargrove was charged Thursday with one count of felony murder in the case after speaking to police.

His first appearance was set for Thursday afternoon, according to the Fulton County Superior Court online records.