Police: Teen fatally shot during robbery, shooter arrested

LITHONIA, Ga. (AP) — A man was charged with murder for killing a 14-year-old Atlanta-area boy whose friend stole the man's phone and ran, authorities said.

Ricarrio Hale was killed Sunday and a 16-year-old friend of his was also hospitalized after being shot, DeKalb County police told news outlets.

Paul Marsilas Wilson, 28, was arrested and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.

Hale, the wounded friend and two other teens met Wilson and a woman in Lithonia to purchase a phone, police said. One of the teens took the phone and ran away without paying, authorities said. That prompted Wilson and the woman to chase the teenagers and shoot at them, police said.

Hale was fatally shot in the chest and the other teen was struck in the arm, police said. He was in stable condition.

Hale family spokesman Jacques Hall, told WSB-TV that one of the teens took the phone without Hale's involvement. Investigators initially said Hale was involved, but later said the boy did not know his friend was going to steal the phone.

The wounded teenager was charged with misdemeanor theft.

The woman involved was taken into custody but not charged. The investigation is ongoing.

Authorities said people who are buying or selling items in person should do so at a safe location.