A teenager has been arrested and two others remain at large after a 3-year-old boy was shot and killed while watching television in his Athens home over the weekend, authorities said Saturday.
Athens-Clarke County police responded at around 5:30 p.m. Friday to the Hallmark Mobile Home Park on Spring Valley Road, about five miles northeast of Oconee Forest Park. When officers arrived at the residence, they found two children shot, one of whom died at the scene.
The 3-year-old was identified as Kyron Zarco by police. Zarco’s older brother and a man whom police said was not shot were both taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“He was just watching television. His brother held him while he took his last breath,” Zarco’s mother Shanita Smith told Channel 2 Action News. “That was my miracle baby. That was my COVID baby. He beat all the odds. Just for somebody to take him away from me in seconds.”
According to police, the gunfire came from outside the home and appeared to be gang-related, though a motive is still unclear. Zarco was shot in the chest, and his autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab, according to Athens-Clarke Coroner Sonny Wilson.
About an hour after the shooting, police said they arrested 17-year-old Julian Cubillos of Lawrenceville with assistance from Jackson County deputies and the GBI. Cubillos was charged with felony murder, malice murder, four counts of aggravated assault and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. He is being held without bond, online records show.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Following an investigation, police also obtained arrest warrants for Jayden Brown, 16, and Dakious Echols, 18. Both are from Athens and face the same charges as Cubillos.
“I am sickened by this heinous crime, and my heart aches for the grieving family, friends and loved ones who are suffering such a tragic loss,” Athens police Chief Jerry Saulters said. “The Athens-Clarke County Police Department will dedicate our full strength and resources to bring the killers to justice.”
A GoFundMe page created to help the family with financial expenses had raised more than $19,000 as of Sunday afternoon.
“We are asking for donations to help Shanita and her kids find a safe home due to the shooting and the damage from a large tree that has fallen on her house. Any donation will help. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers!” the page stated.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact Athens police at 762-400-7060. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Tipsters do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the location and arrest of Brown and Echols.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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