EAST POINT, Ga. — Two teens are behind bars, accused in the death of a 16-year-old after he was shot in the head at an East Point MARTA station Sunday, police said.
MARTA Police Department said officers were called to the station around 3 p.m. Sunday after the victim was shot on the northbound platform during a busy weekend for Atlanta.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office identified the teen that was killed as Jaylan Major, who later died at the hospital.
According to arrest warrants, officers arrived at the rail station and found Major bleeding from the head. As they worked to collect evidence, authorities said one shell casing was on the platform and a gun was found in nearby bushes.
East Point Police officials said that a 15-year-old pulled the trigger leading to Major's death. An 18-year-old was with the other teen at the time of the shooting. Warrants reveal that a third person was also detained at the initial scene but was determined to be a friend of Major.
The four were involved in an argument that became physical, with Major stepping into the fight after one of the teens punched his friend, warrants show. That's when one teen fired a single shot, killing Major, according to arrest records.
The 15-year-old was charged with possession of a handgun and voluntary manslaughter and the 18-year-old was charged with simple battery involuntary manslaughter, according to police.
This comes after Charles Perkins, 20, was shot and killed at the Ashby MARTA station. Both of these shootings happened in a span of weeks. Both victims were also shot in the head.
With these shootings back-to-back, 11Alive asked MARTA's Deputy Police Chief Willie Davenport about safety.
"Our primary goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for our patrons and customers," Davenport said.
Davenport said his officers have been doing their jobs as expected.
"I'm proud of our officers, on the scene, for their professionalism," Davenport said.
In the East Point shooting, he credits the uniformed officer for getting the suspects in handcuffs.
"We had an officer assigned to the station. He responded quickly. he was able to detain two individuals on the scene," Davenport said.
And at the Ashby station, Davenport updates that a person is in custody. He said the security cameras helped them identify another. He added that the security already in place has been working.
"We have officers assigned at the station. Their presence alone at the station deters crime," Davenport said, "The officers are able to respond to calls quickly, reader aid, as well as take our suspects into custody."
Davenport said there are no plans to upgrade security.
"We do that by utilizing uniformed officers, protective specialists, K-9 teams, patrolling the stations, buses, and trains," Davenport said.
Davenport encourages bus and train riders to use the See and Say app. It's a way riders can report safety concerns discreetly and anonymously.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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