A DeKalb County man shot and killed another man who was allegedly trying to break into his apartment Thursday morning, according to police.

DeKalb officers arrived at a complex in the 2800 block of Panthersville Court around 1:45 a.m. and found a man dead from a gunshot wound, a news release states.

Investigators believe the apartment resident, who has not been charged, was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot the alleged intruder, police said.

The suspected burglar has not been publicly identified by police.

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Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller