DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County police say a 14-year-old boy who was shot and killed in Lithonia was attempting to rob two people when they shot him.

Ricarrio Hale, a freshman at Miller Grove High School in Stonecrest, was killed Saturday afternoon at the Aladdin Townhomes. A 16-year-old friend, who has not been identified, was also shot but is expected to survive.

Police said the teens arranged to meet two adults at the complex after seeing something they wanted to buy online. When they met the sellers, instead of paying for the merchandise, the boys snatched the property and started running.

The sellers chased after the teens and eventually fired shots, striking Hale in the chest and the other teen in the arm, police said.

The two shooters are in custody, but their identities have not been released. So far, they have not been charged.

Channel 2's Michael Seiden was in Lithonia, where stunned relatives were hysterical at the scene as Hale's body was taken away. Seiden spoke to family members before police revealed the boys may not have been completely innocent victims.

Seiden talked to Hale’s brother, Shamdarius Echols, who said his brother was a good kid who was one of 11 siblings and loved to play basketball and football.

“He’s not a bad kid. He’s friendly. He likes to play games. He plays sports and is a really good kid,” Echols said.

Family members initially told Seiden they believed the shooting was a case of mistaken identity. They have since reached out to Channel 2 Action News to dispute police accounts that Hale was involved in robbery.

Police told Seiden that this tragedy is a good reminder of why it’s important for anyone who is buying or selling items in person to do it at a safe location.