A heartbreaking tragedy struck an Athens mobile home park, where a 3-year-old boy was killed in a barrage of gunfire that also wounded his 9-year-old brother. According to FOX 5, Kyron Santino Zarco Smith was at home watching TV Friday afternoon when the violent incident occurred. "They shot him in his heart. His last words was, ‘I got a hole in my heart.' It hurts," a family member relayed the heart-wrenching details.
Police have now arrested two teenagers in connection with the deadly shooting, with suspicions that the act was gang-related. A 16-year-old, Jayden Brown of Athens, was the latest to be taken into custody, following the arrest of 17-year-old Julian Omar Cubillos on Saturday. Authorities are continuing to actively search for two more suspects, 22-year-old Desmontrez Mathis and 18-year-old Dakious Echols, as reported by Channel 2 Action News. These individuals face severe charges including murder, aggravated assault, and violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
The community has been left reeling from the loss of such a young life, with neighbors and loved ones coming together to mourn and remember the toddler described as a "miracle baby" by his mother, Shanita Smith. "He beat all of the odds. Just for somebody to take him away from me in seconds," Smith told Channel 2 Action News. The pain of the family was compounded following the shooting, when a tree crashed into their home the next day.
Following this tragic event, a GoFundMe page has been set up to safeguard to cover the funeral costs for Kyron. Crime Stoppers has chimed in, offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information that would lead to the arrests of the remaining suspects. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line.
