12-year-old charged with murder in Clayton shooting that killed 11-year-old
Less than 24 hours after an 11-year-old was fatally shot in Clayton County, police arrested a 12-year-old they say was involved in the death.
The 12-year-old, who was not named, was arrested Friday morning on several charges, including murder and aggravated assault.
Clayton County police released few other details regarding the arrest, noting that the investigation is “sensitive in nature.”
“In an effort to maintain the integrity of this investigation, we are not releasing premature information in reference to this case,” police spokeswoman Officer Halekia Helm told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Officers responded to the 6000 block of Westbury Road in Riverdale around 5:30 p.m. Thursday in reference to the shooting, Clayton police spokeswoman Sgt. Julia Isaac said.
Initially, police did not release any information about the second child or the circumstances around the deadly shooting. According to Helm, the relationship between the two children is still under investigation. Neighbors told Channel 2 Action News that the two boys did not live in the neighborhood.
Police are still working to determine how the 12-year-old obtained the firearm. The child is not being charged as an adult at this time, Helm said.
In addition to murder and aggravated assault, the preteen is charged with tampering with evidence, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm under 18 and first-degree cruelty to children.
About the Author
Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.
