An arrest has been made in the tragic killing of 11-year-old Zander Whatley, who was fatally shot in Douglasville, GA. Osman Sesay Jr., an 18-year-old from Hiram, is facing charges in connection with the death of the young boy. On the night of April 29, 2024, Paulding County Sheriff's deputies rushed to the scene on Ruth Way following reports of gunfire, where Whatley was found injured and later died at a local hospital, as reported by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
After a methodical search, the break in the case came when Sesay was taken into custody following a traffic stop on May 11 in North Carolina. He is currently being detained and awaiting extradition to Georgia, according to details provided by the GBI. The deadly shooting has also led to the issuance of murder warrants for Al-Hamid Ibrahim Kuyateh and Nazier Lloyd Anderson, who remain suspects at large in Whatley's death.
The Paulding County Sheriff's Office, working in collaboration with the GBI, continues to delve into the circumstances that led to the untimely death of Whatley. Residents with any knowledge that might aid the investigation are being urged to come forward. The GBI encourages confidential tip-offs to be channeled through their hotline at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), their website, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile application.
