14-year-old shot, killed during weekend house party in Cherokee County

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says detectives “continue to work around the clock” to find the person who shot and killed a 14-year-old boy.

The agency did not release the victim’s name on Monday.

Deputies said they were called out to a home on Victoria Road, west of Woodstock, just before 1:30 a.m. on a “person shot” call.

On arrival deputies saw multiple cars driving away and people running from what appeared to be a large house party at the home.

“(I heard) three sets of gunfire. Five shots. Boom, boom, boom, boom,” said neighbor Kurt Merolla. “I called it in (911). All the cars that were at this party over here, a couple houses down, all started speeding off, taking off down the street. Turning the wrong way.”

A 19-year-old was shot in the hand and elbow. The victim was treated and released from Northside Cherokee Hospital.

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Deputies found the 14-year-old boy in the back of an SUV. He was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital where he later died.

“He was in the car right there,” said neighbor Timothy White, explaining to Channel 2′s Chris Jose what he saw. “The guy’s brother apparently came up and said, ‘Hey my brother’s been shot. I don’t know what to do.’ And I said, well the units are responding.”

Cherokee investigators also released cellphone video of a fight at the West 22 Apartments near Kennesaw State University.

They believe the people in the video ended up at the house party on Victoria Road.

Jose contacted the Kennesaw Police Department about the video on Monday.

A spokesperson told him the agency is looking into the assault at West 22 Apartments but is unsure if the attack is related to the Cherokee shooting.

The apartment complex serves as off-campus housing for the university.

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