An 8-year-old has died after he was shot Saturday night at a southwest Atlanta apartment complex.
The boy was found with a single gunshot wound when officers responded to the Brentwood Heights complex on Alison Court around 10:15 p.m. He was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injures, Atlanta police said.
He was identified by his family as Kayden Jones, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Family members and neighbors gathered at the apartments Sunday night to release balloons in Kayden’s honor, with some of the youngest community members donning Spider-Man masks in honor of the 8-year-old’s favorite superhero, according to the news station.
Neighbor Stevie Rogers said the family had just moved to Atlanta. Kayden will be buried in Florida, Channel 2 reported.
“He had a good, humble spirit and everything. Little baby,” Rogers told Channel 2. “I’m thankful to God that he did let us meet the baby. And the family, they’re hardworking parents. They took care of their kids.”
Atlanta police have not released any details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, which remains under investigation Monday. It was not clear if Kayden was the intended target of the gunfire.
At least 20 children and teenagers have been killed in metro Atlanta shootings this year. Kayden is among the youngest victims.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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