A 3-year-old boy is in critical condition after being shot at a DeKalb County gas station over the weekend. FOX 5 Atlanta reports that the child, seated in a car seat, was not involved in the incident, which began as a verbal dispute on Sunday evening near the 300 block of North Stone Mountain Lithonia Road. DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Padrick confirmed the boy was simply riding in the car with his father.
DeKalb police have arrested three individuals, including a juvenile, in connection with the shooting that occurred just before 7 p.m. The father and son were stopped in traffic when their vehicle was struck by gunfire, according to Atlanta News First. Police identified the adult suspects as Jonathon Tate, 20, and Julius Hughes, 21; the juvenile’s name has not been released. Video evidence helped officers identify the suspects, leading to a traffic stop and a home search where a gun and additional evidence were recovered.
The child was taken to the hospital following the shooting and remains in critical condition. His father was not injured. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson expressed her sympathy, saying, "As a parent, my heart is with the child as well as the family," and added, "No parent should have to experience this kind of trauma," as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the shooting and seeking information from the public. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the DeKalb County Police Department’s Tip411 app or by texting "DKPD" followed by the message to 847411, as per Atlanta News First. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson emphasized the county’s focus on public safety, stating that authorities will continue working to bring those responsible to justice.
