COMMERCE, Ga. -- A Commerce man shot his wife and shot and killed her 6-year-old grandson during a family fight Sunday, authorities said. The suspect was later shot by police.
Police said Monday the confrontation began over a watermelon.
The shooting happened in the 200 block of Troy Street at about 12:55 p.m. in Commerce on Sunday.
Police said the suspect's wife, 58-year-old Linda Clark, called authorities to the home saying she had been shot.
When police arrived on the scene, they said 55-year-old Robert Clark opened fire on them.
Police said they were able to convince Robert Clark to allow his injured wife and one of two grandchildren who were in the house to come out. Soon after, police said he opened the front door with a gun in his hand and they shot him.
When authorities entered the residence, they found one of Linda Clark's grandchildren, Michael Levigne, 6, dead.
Police said they found a second grandchild, a 5-year-old boy, inside the house unharmed.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Jeff Dore went to Commerce Monday to talk with the police chief about the incident. Police said it appeared the shooting began with a fight over a watermelon.
"I'm not sure that it's easy to get your mind around that concept, but we believe it was some sort of issue with the child either dropping or prematurely cutting this watermelon that initially precipitated the argument," said Commerce Police Chief John Gaissert.
The suspect and his wife were life-flighted to Grady Memorial Hospital. They were both listed in stable condition.
Gaissert said the Clark home has been a frequent scene of trouble, with seven 911 calls to the house in the past year.
The second grandchild has been placed in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services.
Police said the children were Linda Clark's maternal grandchildren. Robert Clark was not biologically related to the children, although he and his wife had custody of the children.
Police have not located the children's mother and, in the past, their father has been arrested on drug charges, police said. Gaissert characterized the family situation as "dysfunctional."
Robert Clark has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault on police.
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Sources: WSBTV, Google Maps
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