Bond denied for woman charged in 15-year-old’s shooting death

A Fulton County judge denied bond for a 31-year-old woman charged with murder in the shooting death of a 15-year-old girl.

Elizabeth Parham was arrested Friday by Atlanta police after a three-week search for the person who shot and killed 15-year-old Diamond Johnson — but more arrests are possible.

Credit: Atlanta Police Department

Credit: Atlanta Police Department

Johnson was fatally shot May 1 near a busy shopping center across the street from Maynard Jackson High School, where she was a student. The shooting, which left two others hospitalized, followed a fight that included children and adults, police said.

Investigators identified Parham as a suspect and took out warrants for her arrest Wednesday. She was taken into custody Friday on Glenn Street, transported to the Fulton County Jail and charged with three felonies: murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the first degree.

“Through an exhaustive, collaborative investigative process, homicide detectives were able to establish probable cause and obtain arrest warrants,” police spokesman Capt. Jason Smith said.

Police said the shooting remains under investigation and they “anticipate more arrests in the future.”

The other two shooting victims were taken to a hospital that night and survived their injuries.

Officers were called to the 790 block of Glenwood Avenue just before 10 p.m. after reports of multiple people being shot. They found Johnson dead at the scene from a single gunshot wound.

Police said the shooting stemmed from an earlier fight between two groups.

“After the fight, other people, including adults, came to the location, and the confrontation continued, eventually leading to gunfire,” police said at the time.

Investigators later released photos of three vehicles believed to be connected to the shooting and asked for the public’s help identifying suspects. They focused their attention on Parham this week and worked to take her into custody.

“Everyone loses in cases of senseless violence,” police said in a statement. “It is especially difficult for the loved ones of these victims. Even more so when the victim is young, and will not get the opportunity to experience adulthood.”

Johnson was the fourth teenager killed in Atlanta this year, according to crime data. She was laid to rest May 10, according to the funeral home.

A friend who visited a memorial days after her death called Johnson “fun and energetic.” Christian Romero, 14, glanced at the teddy bears and flowers that adorned the spot and said she was someone people wanted to be around.

Another friend, 14-year-old Marionna Clifton, reflected on the deadly shooting and said, “I just feel like it’s sad. It’s just a crazy world.”