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A 14-year-old boy was taken into custody on Sunday, facing charges of murder related to the tragic shooting of a 12-year-old boy within a home in southeast Atlanta.
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) revealed that homicide detectives secured an arrest warrant for the young suspect over the weekend. The arrest was conducted without any complications, and the teenager is now being held at the Metro Youth Detention Center.
“Ensuring the safety of young people is our top priority,” emphasized APD Captain Germain Dearlove in a conversation with Fox 5 Atlanta. He stressed the importance of securing firearms in homes to prevent access by children and teenagers.
He advised, “Parents and guardians need to be vigilant. Make sure that firearms are stored safely. If your children have friends over, keep an eye on them, and regularly check in on what’s happening.”
The investigation into the fatal shooting of the 12-year-old continues, with the arrest of the 14-year-old being a significant development in the case.
The shooting happened Saturday, when officers were dispatched around 1:49 p.m. ET to a report of a person shot at the residence.
When officers arrived, they found a 12-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition but later died despite life-saving efforts, police said.
Investigators said the shooting took place inside the home. Police have not publicly said what led to the gunfire, and the names of the juveniles have not been released.
“This neighborhood is pretty peaceful most of the time,” longtime neighbor Michael Dennis told Fox 5. “Every now and then we may hear something. I encourage family: Stick together, love one another, hug one another. This is a space in life where everybody needs to just come together.”
Police told local WSB-TV 2 that the boys were playing with guns in a bedroom when the 12-year-old was shot.
The 14-year-old suspect was sent to a local juvenile detention center. (WAGA)
Earlier in the week, another neighbor, asking not to be identified, told channel 2 that he called police when he saw young boys getting into shootouts.
“Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, around the same time, kids would come by my house, duck behind the church and just shoot,” the neighbor said.
“I was concerned for my safety.”
Police are seeking cooperation from local homeowners in the investigation. (WAGA)
In its initial account, the police department said detectives were questioning the juvenile and adults who were inside the residence at the time of the shooting.
“We need the partnership and cooperation of homeowners,” Dearlove told Fox 5. “We’re going to get the full story, and then we will make our full report on it.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Atlanta police cautioned that the information released so far is preliminary and could change as the investigation develops.