ATLANTA -- A teen involved in a home invasion last August is now planning on spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Brandon Jerome Smith, 18, pleaded guilty guilty to home invasion, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, cruelty to children and gun charges Thursday morning. Smith was sentenced to life in prison. Three other juveniles also charged in the crime entered guilty pleas on Thursday.
The home invasion took place on Sunday evening, August 16 at a home in northwest Atlanta. The homeowners, Michael and Whitney Lash, told police several men stormed the house. They fired shots at Whitney, who was holding the couple's infant daughter, then shot Michael, shattering his femur.
After receiving a tip, Atlanta Crime Stoppers were able to locate and arrest Smith. The gun used during the home invasion, which investigators say was reported stolen, was discovered with the suspect.
Smith has a history with police as he was arrested once before for breaking into a car in Brookhaven.
Three other suspects, Quindarius Slade, Veshawn Smith and Trequan Sutton, also plead guilty. They were sentenced to 18 years in prison. The juveniles were charged with armed robbery, home invasion, aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, cruelty to children and theft by taking. The juveniles were being charged as adults.
