Hours after ‘senseless’ shooting of DeKalb 3-year-old, police make 3 arrests
DeKalb County police Chief Greg Padrick on Monday described it as “reckless, senseless and completely unacceptable.”
The county’s CEO, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, strongly emphasized how “this should not happen. Ever.”
On Sunday evening, authorities said a 3-year-old boy was sitting in traffic with his father in the area of North Stone Mountain Lithonia Road when bullets suddenly pierced through their vehicle.
The gunfire came from a nearby gas station, where several people got into an argument and opened fire just before 7 p.m., police said. The child, who has not been publicly identified, remains in critical condition after being accidentally shot while sitting in his car seat.
But four hours later, the three suspects police believe were involved in the shooting had already been arrested, thanks to diligent investigative work and a new $18.9 million initiative, Digital Shield, which deploys Flock Safety technology at key areas across the county to track vehicles and identify suspects.
In 2023, an ordinance went into effect requiring mandatory video surveillance at gas stations, service stations and businesses in the county that were identified as violent or risky.
“Unfortunately, in DeKalb County, gas and service stations are the No. 1 locations for violent crimes,” Johnson said.
Over the past 30 days, more than 18 people have been arrested using that technology, which was launched in the fall and is now integrated into the Real Time Crime Center at police headquarters. Padrick and Johnson spoke there Monday. The chief added that five homicide cases have been solved using the technology over that time period, and 12 other cases have been cleared.
Police said the suspects’ vehicle was tracked Sunday to Memorial Drive near North Hairston Road. Officers then conducted a traffic stop and by 10:40 p.m. had arrested the three people inside.
They were identified by police as Jonathon Tate, 20, Julius Hughes, 21, and a juvenile who was not named. Officers also searched a residence on Rock Meadow Drive, where officials said they found a firearm and other evidence related to the case.
The suspects were booked into the county jail and are facing charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. They all remain in custody.
Padrick said the young boy was “simply riding in the car with his father” when he was shot. While the dad was not harmed, the chief called the incident “deeply troubling” and said his thoughts were with the child and his family.
As officers continue to work the case, anyone with more information is asked to contact the department or Crime Stoppers Atlanta.
“This investigation remains active, and our detectives will continue to pursue every available lead,” Padrick said. “No parent should ever have to experience this, and no child should ever be harmed by the careless actions of others.”
