The DeKalb County community is grappling with the reality that a 17-year-old's life ended in cold blood, a casualty to an epidemic of gun violence that continues to plague our streets. James Smith's body was found in woods near a local apartment complex along North Hairston Road in what is being investigated as an homicide by local authorities. According to a FOX 5 Atlanta report, the suspect wanted in connection to his shooting death was recently apprehended in Florida.

The news of the suspect's capture brings a grim sense of closure as the DeKalb County Police Department announced the arrest, noting the individual is now awaiting extradition to face a judge back in Georgia. Smith's body had been discovered in mid-February, and the suspect has been on the run ever since. A neighboring resident, Monica McNeal, told Hoodline, "It’s very scary and makes you not want to go out," further touching on the rampant violence, "It’s a shame you can’t walk out and do daily things today, there’s all this shooting going on."

Smith's death, speculated to be linked to a prior dispute with unnamed parties, has ignited fear and sorrow in the DeKalb County community, prompting voices such as McNeal's to call for an end to gun violence with impassioned pleas. "Put the guns down because it’s too much, too many of us leaving here today, especially our teenagers. 'Please put the guns down in Jesus name, Amen,'" McNeal bemoaned in a statement obtained by Hoodline.

A representative for Smith's family conveyed to FOX 5 Atlanta their deep sorrow over their loss. McNeal underscored the fact that too often it is teenagers who fall victims to such brutal acts, "They’re not living to have families and children and living to our age. The kids are leaving before us." As the case continues to unfold, the DeKalb County Police urge anyone with information related to Smith's death to step forward and help bring further clarity to the investigation.