A Chamblee Charter High School varsity baseball player and another teenager were in the Gwinnett County jail Monday on murder and armed robbery charges.
Terrance Elisha Thornton, 17, of Stone Mountain, and Joshua Cook were arrested in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Jacquorrius Madison, who was killed Saturday during a fight in the parking lot of a subdivision near Loganville, police Cpl. Michele Pihera said.
Pihera said police believe the shooting was drug-related and that one more suspect is being sought.
“Thornton drove the car from the crime scene with two other occupants,” Pihera said. “We don't believe Thornton was the shooter, but we are still investigating.”
Friend Isiah Coppin told Channel 2 Action News he was standing close enough to see Madison get shot in the chest.
He said he, Madison and another man were selling marijuana to someone they didn’t know and a fight broke out.
“We lost a good soul,” Coppin told the news station.
Officers were called to the 4600 block of Grove Lake Street as witnesses reported a group of teenagers fighting in the parking lot of the neighborhood’s swim and tennis area.
When police arrived, they found Madison suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital but later died.
“We aren’t no bad type of kids,” Coppin said. “We just trying to make it. It's a cold world.”
Thornton is listed on Chamblee Charter's website as a member of the 2017 varsity baseball team.
When contacted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution via email, head baseball coach Brian Ely declined to discuss the situation: “Thanks for your understanding during this extremely difficult time.”
DeKalb schools spokeswoman Eileen Houston-Stewart released this statement: “It would not be appropriate for the DeKalb County School District to comment under these circumstances.”
Madison’s sister, Amari Thompson, lit a candle for her brother.
“He’s in a better place now,” she told Channel 2.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can also remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers at crimestoppersatlanta.org, calling 404-577-8477 or texting information to 274637.
In other news:
About the Authors
