A second suspect has been charged with murder in the May shooting of a 15-year-old, Atlanta police said Monday. And it’s possible there could be additional charges as the investigation continues.
On May 1, officers were called to a busy shopping center on Glenwood Avenue, across the street from Maynard Jackson High School. There, they found Diamond Nicole Johnson dead from a gunshot wound and two others injured, police previously said.
“What started as a large fight with juveniles had turned into a shooting where Miss Diamond Johnson lost her life,” Capt. Jason Smith said in a videotaped statement Monday.
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
After a three-week search for a suspect, police arrested Elizabeth Parham and charged her with murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the first degree. In June, Parham was released from the Fulton County jail on $100,000 bond, records show.
On Oct. 18, Tariq Grier was also arrested and charged in the case, police said. Grier, 18, who was charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, was being held without bond late Monday.
“We believe he was out there that night, shooting,” Smith said.
A third person, Tonya Graves, was also arrested in the case, Smith said Monday. Graves, who lives in Conyers, was arrested May 22 and charged with making false statements, according to police and jail records. She was released the following day on a signature bond.
Johnson, who attended Maynard Jackson High School, was the fourth teen killed in Atlanta this year. But since her death, at least five other teenagers have been shot to death in the city, along with more than a dozen others across the metro area.
Credit: Atlanta Police Department
Credit: Atlanta Police Department
Christian Romero, 14, was among Diamond’s friends who visited a memorial of teddy bears and flowers at the site of her death. Diamond was “fun and energetic,” someone people wanted to be around, Christian said.
“This investigation is still active and ongoing,” Smith said. “We have more to uncover. And we are still asking for the public’s help...to anybody who was there, anybody who knows anybody who was there, please contact us.”
Information for investigators can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.StopCrimeATL.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000 for the arrest and indictment of the suspect.
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