On Wednesday, Atlanta Police Chief Charles Hampton Jr. announced that the Atlanta Police Department has arrested two teenagers in connection with a recent shooting near Atlantic station that killed two young people and injured four others.
Hampton said that a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old have been arrested and charged with two counts of murder, aggravated assault and a gang-related charge. The identity of the suspects have not been released because they are minors.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, police “recently shared surveillance video of people they believe were involved in the shooting that left 12-year-old Zyion Charles and 15-year-old Cameron Jackson dead. At this time, officials say they have identified everyone in the video – with one of the suspects being seen in the video.”
The main shooter was wearing a black and yellow hoodie. The second suspect was wearing a blue hoodie with white letters, according to police.
The video showed a group of teens boarding a train at Arts Center MARTA Station. Atlanta Police investigators said the suspect in the yellow and black hoodie fired shots meant for 15-year-old Cameron Jackson. A bullet indirectly hit and killed 12-year-old Zyion Charles.
Jackson’s mother, Tiffany Smith said she was relieved, but that the arrests saddened her.
“It’s heartbreaking on both sides because now we have lost four, four young boys. So it’s heartbreaking,” Smith said, per Fox 5 Atlanta.
Over the weekend, a group of faith leaders in Atlanta gathered near the scene of the shooting to mourn, pray, and demand change.
“Let’s save our city, let’s save our youth,” said Rev. Darryl Winston of Greater Works Ministries.
“All of us must get involved,” said Rev. Winston. “The business community, faith community, local and state government. This is our problem. Our children are being affected.”
“They’re hanging out here at Atlantic Station and other areas after they’re dropped off by their parents without structured recreation,” said Bishop Dexter Jackson. “Then creating their own recreation is resulting in the things that we’re seeing happening.”
“Parents are saying that they’re calling, and they can’t get help,” the bishop said. “We want to be that bridge that will connect the parents to resources.”
