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Armani Deshawn Lyons (GoFundMe).
Authorities in Georgia have charged two individuals, including a 71-year-old woman, in connection with the tragic shooting death of a 3-year-old boy she was babysitting in Atlanta. The young victim, identified as Armani Deshawn Lyons, was under the care of Barbara Edwards, who, along with 35-year-old Jermaine Hardeman, faces serious charges.
Both Edwards and Hardeman have been charged with felony murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and second-degree child cruelty, as reported by the Atlanta Police Department.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m. on April 5, when officers were called to the 900 block of Washington Street SW in response to reports of a shooting. Upon arriving, they discovered young Armani suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite being swiftly transported to the hospital by paramedics, Armani sadly succumbed to his injuries.
On Sunday, police issued arrest warrants for both suspects. Edwards was subsequently taken into custody and booked at the Fulton County Jail on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Hardeman remains at large, and the details surrounding the circumstances of Armani’s death are still under investigation. Armani’s family noted that Edwards had been a trusted babysitter for the child for some time.
A heartfelt message on a GoFundMe page set up in Armani’s memory reads, “On Easter Sunday, April 5, our sweet Armani was taken from us far too soon due to senseless gun violence. He was only 3 years old and would have been turning 4 on May 3. Armani was full of life, joy, and innocence—a bright light who brought smiles to everyone he met. No family is ever prepared for a loss like this.”
Armani’s grandmother, Trinetta Julian, in an interview with local Fox affiliate WAGA, spoke about the love she and her grandson had for each other and the excitement he showed when she came to see him.
“Every time I pulled up, he’d just run out,” Julian told the outlet. “He’d run to my car and say ‘Grandma, Grandma!’ He used to be so happy.”
She said she can’t fathom why someone would want to hurt him.
“I just can’t believe this happened,” she said. “I can’t believe somebody would do this to him. Like, why?”