Cops: Macon teen killed 7-year-old, then himself

By Associated Press

For the AJC

MACON — A teenager fatally shot a 7-year-old boy that his mother was babysitting Saturday before killing himself with the same gun, Macon police said.

The shooter was identified as 19-year-old Vonn Gibbons Jr., who police said was at his mother's home early Saturday when he shot 7-year-old Jalen Griffin in the head.

After killing the boy, police said, Gibbons committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest.

Authorities said they weren't sure what caused the outbreak of violence. But Bibb County coroner Leon Jones told WMAZ-TV it appeared Gibbons shot the young boy intentionally.

"We have no idea why," Jones said. "We probably will never get the answers, the truth about this. We just don't know."

Gibbons' mother, Cheryl Cole, said she was asleep when the shots were fired.

Cole, who was babysitting Jalen, said she didn't know her teenage son had a gun.

"I just want my baby back," said Cole, distraught and tearful.

Police took Cole into custody and questioned her for about two and a half hours before she was released Saturday.

Helena Gore, a friend of Cole's, said Gibbons was a student enrolled at Macon State College.

Autopsies were being conducted on both bodies. Macon police said they are still investigating the cause of the shootings.

___

Information from: WMAZ-TV, http://www.wmaz.com/