Attack on sleeping man in car leads to fatal shooting, Paulding Sheriff’s Office says

ATLANTA, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – A man is charged with murder and aggravated assault after he and another man attacked a victim sleeping in his car, according to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 29, officers were called to 1789 Crossroads Church Road in Rockmart around 3:30 a.m. where they found three men shot to death. The investigation revealed that the victim, a 38-year-old man, was sitting in his car when 34-year-old Troy Sparks and 35-year-old Brandon Stephens allegedly smashed the window and began hitting him with a “blunt object.”

The man and Stephens exchanged fire, with all three men suffering gunshot wounds, according to the sheriff’s office. Stephens did not survive.

Investigators concluded the victim acted in self-defense, and Sparks was arrested. Officials said the two attackers had previous, unspecified problems with the victim.

More arrests and charges may follow. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information about the case to call the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stoppers Hotline at (770) 443-3047 or send a message through the sheriff’s office mobile app.

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