ALBANY — An armed robbery turned violent and resulted in the death of a 16-year-old on the 1500 block of Cromartie Beach Drive late Tuesday, Albany Police Department officers reported.

Rodriquez Anderson was fatally wounded as he exchanged gunfire with two of his robbery victims, said Phyllis Banks, police spokeswoman.

“He died at 11:47 p.m.,” Banks said. “There were no reports of anyone else being injured.”

Police said Wednesday they wanted to talk to two other men — Antwan “Taye” Smith, 19, and Kwasi Hobbs, 22 — in connection with the incident, according to Detective Schemika Foster. Hobbs turned himself in at the Law Enforcement Center around 10 p.m. Wednesday. He is charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault, police said. Smith is wanted for violating probation.

The confrontation began when Anderson and at least one other male approached Earl Franklin Price Jr., 37, Carl Tabensky Davis, 32, and others who were getting out of their cars at a home on Cromartie Beach Drive, said Detective Terrance Whitlock.

“The (robbery) victims arrived home with family members and friends,” Whitlock said. “Two black males, one with a ski mask and another with a dark shirt wrapped around his face, demanded money. During that time some gunfire was exchanged between the victims and the suspects.”

No charges have been filed against the robbery victims, Whitlock said. Davis produced a permit for his gun and police are waiting for Price to do the same, he added.

There may have been more than 10 shots fired in the handgun exchange as the robbery suspects ran from the scene, Whitlock said. Anderson collapsed from his injuries in the bushes in front of the Beacon of Light Church at 1512 Cromartie Beach Drive, police said.The type of handguns used by the robbers and the victims was not available, Whitlock said. That information is part of the investigation, he added.

It was unknown Wednesday who fired the shot that resulted in Anderson’s death, Whitlock said. The results would come after an autopsy in Atlanta, he added.

The importance of watching out for each other especially during the holiday season could not be emphasized enough, detectives said.
During the holidays thieves are ready to take advantage of the festive mood, Lt. Eddie Jones said. People have to pay attention to their surroundings and the people around them, he added.

“Be careful about coming home from shopping,” Jones said.