What is happening in Decatur, Georgia with squatters?

Squatters armed with AR-15s have taken over multiple homes in Decatur, Georgia, turning them into party zones and causing fear among residents.

How did squatters take over a family's home in Georgia?

Squatters allegedly broke into a recently deceased lawyer's home, produced a fake lease, and moved in before the family could secure the property.

What is the Georgia Squatter Reform Act?

The Georgia Squatter Reform Act criminalizes squatting and allows police to remove offenders more quickly, often within days.

Home / Crime and Justice / Georgia Squatters Seize Homes with AR-15s, Host Parties

Georgia Squatters Seize Homes with AR-15s, Host Parties

10 Jan

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Summary

Armed squatters took over homes, engaging in drug-fueled parties.
A family's home was seized just days after the owner's death.
Georgia's new law allows faster eviction of squatters.

Georgia Squatters Seize Homes with AR-15s, Host Parties

A peaceful neighborhood in Decatur, Georgia, has been overrun by squatters who arrived armed with AR-15s, turning former family homes into scenes of anarchy. Since last May, vagrants have targeted houses, with one family devastated when their late father's $500,000 home was seized less than 48 hours after his death. The squatters allegedly broke in, removed security systems, and moved in swiftly, even hosting a "VIP" pool party.

Squatting has become a significant issue in the Atlanta metro area, with an estimated 1,200 homes hijacked in 2024 alone. Residents report living in fear as more properties, often owned by corporate landlords and left vacant, are targeted. The family whose home was seized discovered the squatters produced a lease, a tactic that, under previous Georgia law, prevented immediate eviction by police. This sophisticated operation highlighted how squatters exploit legal loopholes.