A teenager attempting trying to find the apartment he shared with his girlfriend in Atlanta was shot and killed after he accidentally knocked on the wrong apartment door, authorities said Saturday.
Police say Omarian Banks, 19, had just been dropped off by a Lyft at The Retreat apartment complex when he called his girlfriend Zsakeria Mathis, to let her know he was almost home. Banks and Mathis recently moved into the apartment complex and Banks wasn't familiar with the layout of the complex, police said. While FaceTiming with his girlfriend, Banks went to what he believed was their apartment, and knocked, but soon realized he was at the wrong door.
A short time after, Banks began walking away, but, that's when police say the apartment's owner, Darryl Bynes, 32, grabbed a gun and went out on his balcony to confront the teenager.
The two men exchanged words, and Bynes shot the teen from his balcony as Banks was trying to get away.
Mathis told WSB-TV that her boyfriend called her and told her to 'open the door', but when she didn't hear the knock, she became concerned and walked out onto the front porch of her unit.
"I just hear faint voices and a gunshot, and then I hear him yell," Mathis told the television station. "And I heard all the fear in his voice and he was just, 'I’m sorry! I’m at the wrong door!’ The man was like, 'No, you’re not at the wrong door!’ And he shot two more times and then it was silent."
Banks was shot in the neck, and died at the scene.
Bynes was arrested on Friday and charged with murder Saturday morning. Court records show Bynes has been assigned a public defender.
Bynes initially told police he shot Banks in self-defense, but officers say he shot the teenager from his balcony while Banks was trying to get away.
One of Bynes' family members says they don't believe Bynes should be charged with murder.
"He has five kids, he was literally protecting his family. His truck was stolen earlier this week. Right now, that's all they're trying to do is protect their family," Makayla Johnson said.
Banks' family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for funeral expenses.
"Omarian Banks was tragically killed at the age of 19 by simply knocking on the wrong door. Omarian was a hard working young man, but he didn't have benefits yet. His family desperately needs your help with his funeral services and burial . Any donations will be greatly appreciated"
Photos: GoFundMe and Fulton County Sheriff's Office