ATLANTA - Quin Whatley's family returned home from vacation Friday to find their house in shambles. Someone had ransacked the place. Several items were missing, including her sons’ prized fencing equipment.
"They went through closets, they went through crawl spaces," said Whatley.
Whatley’s two sons, both students at B.E.S.T. Academy and members of the school’s fencing team, had their fencing equipment stolen over the Christmas break while the family was out of town.
"They took all of my son's fencing equipment my sons are fencers," said Whatley.
GS3 Harris, 17, and Praze Harris, 16, both competed in the USA Fencing Junior Olympics last year.
"They were devastated. We work hard for the little that we have. We work hard for that," said Whatley.
GS3 is the team captain and had four bags containing the school team's fencing uniforms and blades at the house in preparation for an upcoming competition.
"They took not only their equipment but also the team's equipment as well," said Whatley.
Whatley said the boys new Xbox One gaming system, several pairs of sneakers, a flat-screen TV and other items were also stolen. She can't imagine why anyone would steal the fencing equipment, but believes more than one person was involved and has a message for the thieves.
"I'm a strong believer in karma and you reap what you sow," said Whatley.
Whatley has started an online account to try to replace some of the stolen items.
B.E.S.T. Academy's fencing coach said the team sponsor is going to replace the equipment so his students will be able to compete in Saturday's tournament at Lassiter High School.