Germantown police have charged two men with attempted murder, aggravated burglary, theft, evading arrest, and weapons after a shootout between a homeowner and the two suspects Monday.
It happened about 10:00 a.m. in the 2500 block of Hacks Cross and led to the lockdown of Germantown Elementary, Germantown Middle, and Germantown High Schools.
Police say the homeowner returned to his house to find an unknown car in his driveway, running. Police say he then saw one suspect by his house, and the guy fired shots at the homeowner, who fired one shot back at the suspect. The suspects have been identified as George Jinkins and Jaylin Pritchard.
Investigators say the two ran off, but were later tracked to the area of Hacks Cross and Effingham. Investigators say both men tried to run, but were taken into custody.
“They had guns, we saw the dogs too. They were just surrounded, they went in our backyard, “ says Darlene Killebrew. She and her husband were not home during the action, but says their neighbors kept them up to date. “We all look out for each other and we let them know when we are out of town like my neighbor called me that she knew what was going on.”
Police say Pritchard had marijuana on him when he was arrested.
At the home, investigators say they found several items from the ransacked home stacked by a door. People who live in the area say they are now being more vigilant.
“Just do a few things that you might take for granted and just make sure that garage doors are down all the time if you’re not home,” says Debbie Kermick.
Both men have lengthy rap sheets.
Last fall, Pritchard admitted to an aggravated robbery and kidnapping at Park and Highland. And Jinkins faced charges for crimes like aggravated burglary and criminal trespassing dating back to 2013.
“That’s what’s happening a lot. They’re being released and all they are doing is going back and doing the same thing they were doing before. It makes you question what’s happening while they are locked up,” says Kermick.
“Well I do hope they will do something more than just a slap on the hand because we have to stop all of this crime and all the young people being affected, gangs,” says Killebrew.
Jinkins‘ bond is set at $200,000. Pritchard’s is set at $175,000. Both are scheduled to be in court Wednesday night in Germantown.
