ATHENS, Ga. — Athens-Clarke County Police have arrested a third suspect connected to the drive-by shooting death of a 3-year-old boy at a mobile home park in early March.
Desmontrez Mathis, 22, was arrested and charged with malice murder, felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault, and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. He also faces a federal charge for unlawful flight.
On March 8, 3-year-old Kyron Zarco was shot and killed while watching a movie inside a home with his 9-year-old brother, who was injured by gunfire. The two were shot around 5:30 p.m. at Hallmark Mobile Home Park on Spring Valley Road, which is just a mile from the Athens Ben-Epps Airport.
Mathis was tracked down and taken into custody in Augusta, Georgia, on Thursday in a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement operation by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division, the Middle Georgia FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Central Savannah River Area FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
Police arrested 17-year-old Julian Omar Cubillos of Lawrenceville on March 9. He was charged with malice murder, felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
On March 13, 16-year-old Jayden Brown was taken into custody on those same charges. A photo was not provided for Brown.
Suspects in deadly shooting of Athens 3-year-old
Police are still searching for 18-year-old Dakious Echols, who is wanted on similar charges. Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to Echols' arrest in this case. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 706-705-4775.
A photo of Echols is provided below:
