Purported gang member charged in death of Atlanta teen girl

A purported gang member charged in the death of a 15-year-old Stone Mountain High student has been booked in the DeKalb County jail.

Tahja T. "Mayhem" Williams, a 24-year-old with the letters "RIP" tattooed on his Adam's apple, had been wanted on a murder charge since the August shooting of Keaira Palmer. Palmer died while she and a group were walking out of a convenience store on Glenwood Road near Decatur, police have said.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

The FBI has said Williams, one of six suspects, was believed to have fled to Florida after the shooting. Details on his arrest haven't been released, but he was booked in the county jail Thursday and remained held without bond Monday.

According to the FBI, the shooting stemmed from a previous incident in which Williams was robbed by members of a rival gang faction. Williams allegedly holds the rank of Double OG in the Six Deuce Brim Bloods. His anger was reportedly made worse when the rivals bragged about what they'd done.

It isn't clear how, if at all, Palmer was connected to the gangs. Police have said she, like everyone involved in the case, had "gang ties." She's also been described as an innocent bystander, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Keaira Palmer, 15, was shot to death Aug. 3 while walking out of a convenience store on Glenwood Road.

About the Author

CDC shooting: 911 caller relays horrifying moment DeKalb officer is shot

‘He’s going to put himself in very much danger,’ the caller says as he watched Officer David Rose arrive at scene Aug. 8.

New ‘Leaving Atlanta’ sign pops up after beloved marker goes missing

A new ‘Leaving Atlanta’ sign has popped up on Ponce de Leon Avenue after the original vanished. No one knows who installed either version of the beloved landmark.