An 18-year-old accused of shooting and killing a man this week in DeKalb County was protecting his younger brother and won’t be charged, according to police.

Investigators determined that Tyrique Dawkins, 19, approached the 18-year-old from behind and pointed a gun at his head Wednesday evening at a Covington Highway gas station. The 18-year-old, whose name was not released, was able to get away from Dawkins, according to police.

Dawkins then is accused of physically assaulting the teen’s 16-year-old brother.

“Dawkins then physically assaulted the teen and shot at him,” a spokeswoman for DeKalb police said in an emailed statement. “That’s when the 18-year-old fatally shot Dawkins in defense of his brother.”

No details were released about what prompted the incident.

The 18-year-old was shot in the ankle, but his injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com