Several people, including multiple teenagers, have been charged for the murder of a 15-year-old who was shot and killed during a drug deal in Georgia’s Clayton County.
The 15-year-old victim, Jcori Butler, died on December 8 at Grady Memorial Hospital after being shot on October 29 in Jonesboro, Georgia.
“Investigators are looking for 18-year-old Jacora Butler and 20-year-old Jailen Johnson, who allegedly met with Jcori Butler and three other people during a drug and gun sale. Police said some sort of argument led to Jcori Butler getting shot,” Fox 5 Atlanta reported. “Police said 18-year-old Aaron Bell III, a 16-year-old and 14-year-old were at the scene. They’ve been arrested and charged with murder.”
“A 47-year-old man, Aaron Bell Jr., is accused of tampering with evidence and gun possession by a convicted felon,” the outlet added. “Police filed murder warrants to arrest Jacora Butler and Johnson. Police didn’t explain the suspects’ roles in the sale and shooting.”
The news comes amid an increasing rate of children and teenagers being killed by gun violence in Georgia. The epidemic has prompted community leaders to call for unity and action to prevent at-risk youth from being involved in criminal activity.
“It is an issue that has plagued us for a while, but now it is an issue that is coming to the forefront,” said Atlanta City Council member Byron Amos. “It is time for all of us to come together and figure out what we need to do to save our children.”
“Outside of Clayton County, Atlanta, it’s a metro problem,” said Bruce Griggs, executive director of Operation Correct Start.
“We’ve got to get to these young people and change their values and beliefs,” Griggs added. “The disease of violence doesn’t care if you are a bad parent it doesn’t care if you live in Buckhead or Bankhead it is infecting these kids at an early stage.”
