DEKALB COUNTY, GA – A 36-year-old woman was shot and killed outside her home Saturday night after confronting suspected burglars.

Police say Anna Scott was away from her house when she received an alert from her doorbell camera showing three men trying to break in. She drove back in her Jeep and pulled up into the yard of her home on Citation Drive around 10:36 p.m. Investigators say as soon as she confronted the suspects, one of them opened fire into her vehicle.

Officers arriving at the scene found Scott’s Jeep parked just inches from her porch, riddled with bullet holes. She was rushed to the hospital but died from her injuries.

Neighbors told FOX 5 the violence was shocking for their normally quiet community. “That’s very shocking, because this is a quiet neighborhood and nobody hardly get in any trouble around here, so I don’t understand,” said a neighbor who lives nearby. Another neighbor said they heard “rapid gunshots” that night.

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the three suspects. A still photo of one suspect has been released, and tips can be submitted through the Tip411 app, by texting “DKPD” to 847411, or by contacting DeKalb County Police directly.

The Danger of Confronting Suspects

This case is another tragic example of what can happen when homeowners take the fight to suspects outside their homes. From a distance, it can feel like the right thing to do, to rush in, stop a crime in progress, and protect your property. But just like the incident we reported on yesterday, these suspects were armed and willing to kill over a burglary.

By confronting them head-on, Anna Scott lost the advantages of time, distance, and cover. She never had the chance to get out of her vehicle before shots were fired.

For armed citizens, the lesson is clear: staying secure in a defensible position, arming yourself, and calling police is almost always the safer move. Confrontation in the open turns the situation into a gunfight on the suspect’s terms.

Final Thoughts

Anna Scott’s death is a devastating loss for her family and community. As police continue to search for the suspects, this case serves as a sobering reminder of the risks of confronting criminals.

We’ll be tying this case into a larger article examining why confronting suspects so often turns deadly, and what concealed carriers can learn when making decisions under stress.