A 3-year-old boy died and his older brother was injured when gunfire erupted Friday outside their house in Athens, Georgia, 11 Alive reports.
Shortly after 5:30 p.m., Athens-Clarke County Police were called to the Hallmark Mobile Home Park, where they found three shooting victims.
Shanita Smith told the television station that her 3-year-old boy Kyron Zarco died after being shot,
“It went right through his heart, my baby didn’t even have a chance,” Smith told the television station. “Why? Why? I don’t bother nobody. I don’t bother nobody. So, were you aiming for someone else’s house? Because why? My sweet little baby.”
Smith’s 9-year-old son was also shot but survived. He had just celebrated his birthday one day before the incident and has been hospitalized for his injuries.
Family members of the victims are raising money to help cover funeral costs for Zarco, known by loved ones as “Baby Dro,” according to WSB-TV.
An adult who sustained non-life-threatening injuries was also being treated at the hospital. It was not clear whether the injured adult had any relationship to the children.
The Athens Banner-Herald reported that at least seven bullet holes could be seen in the front of the home as of Saturday morning.
Police later arrested 17-year-old Julian Omar Cubillos of Lawrenceville in connection with the shooting.
He is facing charges of malice murder and felony murder, and he also has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault and a violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, according to WSB-TV.
Authorities have secured arrest warrants for 16-year-old Jayden Brown and 18-year-old Dakious Echols, who are believed to be involved in the shooting. Brown and Echols face the same charges as Cubillos.
Police are offering a $2,000 reward for information that leads to the arrests of Brown and Echols. To report information about the case, call Crime Stoppers at 706-705-4775.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to a previous episode on the case below.
[Feature Photo: Kyron Zarco/GoFundMe]
