An Atlanta, Georgia, man was arrested Wednesday in connection to the fatal shooting of his stepson after the teen refused to obey his parents' wishes to stay inside amid the state's stay-at-home order.

De'onte Roberts, 16, was shot in the chest after a physical fight ensued with his stepfather, Bernie Hargrove. An officer told the New York Post that Roberts' mother said the teen disobeyed their wish for him to stay inside amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Roberts later returned home after refusing their "orders to remain in the home" and kicked in the front door. Roberts and Hargrove started fighting, and the 16-year-old was shot several times.

According to the New York Post, Roberts' younger sibling was inside the house during the shooting.

He later died at the hospital from his wounds.

The 42-year-old stepfather was arrested and charged with felony murder.

Since stay-at-home mandates have been put in place, the United Nations has urged for immediate action to combat the rising domestic violence reports, according to The New York Times. The National Domestic Abuse helpline says there has been a 25% increase in domestic violence calls since lockdowns started in March.

BBC News reports as families become isolated due to restrictions, perpetrators use it as a "tool of control" against their significant others.

"Domestic abuse isn't always physical — it's a pattern of controlling, threatening and coercive behaviour, which can also be emotional, economic, psychological or sexual," said Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge.

Yet, despite the rising calls, The Marshall Project said it's hard to accurately measure the rate of domestic violence because people are less likely to be able to safely call the hotline. Instead, calls have been coming in from neighbors or other witnesses.

According to NBC News, police departments in several states have seen a spike in domestic violence calls since March. Houston, Texas, reported receiving nearly 300 additional reports, a 20% increase, compared to February. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it received 517 additional domestic violence calls in March compared to this time last year.

Cherokee County in South Carolina reported having a 35% increase in cases in March compared to February. 

“The financial stress alone creates a ticking time bomb for some families with a history of domestic violence,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller. “Unfortunately many of these domestic violence cases occur in front of children and often the children become victims of abuse and assault, as well."

Shelters have also struggled to serve as a safe space as they manage the rising amount of people in need and limited resources and funding. NBC News reports some shelters have been forced to cancel fundraisers due to the lockdown, causing a significant financial strain. 

“We are contending with soaring demand in services but at the same time declining resources and financial support,” said Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO of YWCA USA, which has dozens of shelters for abuse victims nationwide.

The abrupt demand for families to be sheltered in place for extended periods has proven to cause an increase in domestic violence, according to a study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. In 2017, cities saw a rise in cases during Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 storm, which destroyed communities in Texas and Louisiana.

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