ATLANTA — At least 78 Georgia teens and children have been lost to gun violence so far in 2024.
Georgia teenagers have been the victims of gun violence on a near-daily basis in 2024. In addition to teens and children who were killed, dozens more have been injured by gunfire since the beginning of the year.
Channel 2 Action News has spoken to the families of multiple victims in metro Atlanta, who are all now grappling with the unimaginable loss of a child. Many parents have told us that gun violence needs to stop.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Here are their stories:
Aug. 30
Kyren Johnson, 16, was shot to death in LaGrange. Police have not released any information about any potential suspects.
August 25
An 18-year-old was shot to death in Murray County. Jeffrey Tyler Ray died at the scene. Another person was injured. The suspect has been taken into custody.
Aug. 24
Three teens and one adult were shot to death in a northwest Georgia park. Joshua Pedro Pelico-Pelico, 19, of Dalton, David Antonio Delgadillo, 21, of Dalton, Daniel Segura-Cruz, 17, of Rome, and Robert “Alexis” Valencia, 18, also from Rome, were all shot to death in Pleasant Grove Park. A 16-year-old has been arrested in the murders.
Aug. 12
A 17-year-old boy was killed along with his 21-year-old brother at a home in DeKalb County. Santino Shovely and Broderick Shovely were in the basement of a home when they were killed. Police have arrested two suspects, who they have not identified.
Aug. 11
An 11-year-old DeKalb County girl was shot to death by her mother in a murder-suicide. Makenzie B. had just graduated from a summer swim safety program.
Aug. 9
A 19-year-old was shot to death in Albany. Aaron White died at the hospital. Investigators are searching for 19-year-old Trinity Jenkins as a person of interest.
Also in Albany, a 19-year-old was killed after her boyfriend said he accidentally shot her in the face. Eboni Nicole Hood was hot in the face by 21-year-old J’Shon Price, according to police. He was charged with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and aggravated assault.
Aug. 3
A 19-year-old man was one of two people shot in Macon. Hunter Hall died at the scene. Korky Clark was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police have not said if they’ve identified a suspect.
Aug. 2
A 19-year-old man, Hunter Hall, was one of two people shot in Macon. Hall died at the scene. Two people have been arrested in his death.
July 30
Andre Fortson, 16, was shot to death in the crossfire of a shootout at his DeKalb County apartment complex. Fortson is the younger brother of Roger Fortson, an airman who was shot to death by deputies in Florida on May 3.
Aniyah Harris, 18, was shot to death at a South Fulton County gas station. Three more people were injured.
July 28
Kendarius Carter, 14, was shot to death in Clayton County. Police said Carter was with a group of people in an abandoned townhome near his home and someone walked in and shot him in the neck. Police have not released information about a suspect or motive, and what led to the shooting is unclear.
Levarius Ke’Shay Madrad Ates, 17, died after being shot at a block party in Hawkinsville. The GBI said a preliminary investigation revealed there had been a block party with an “extremely large crowd present” at the time of the shooting.
July 21
An 18-year-old woman, Damenica Roddy, was shot to death at a gas station in Covington. The shooting happened at the Chevron on Highway 36. Two men Roddy was with told officers a car they didn’t recognize parked next to them and started shooting. Police have not identified the shooter.
July 20
A 19-year-old man was shot to death in Augusta. Elijah Oliver was identified as the victim. Three teen suspects have been arrested in his death.
July 17
The 16-year-old nephew of a man shot by police in 2020, Rayshard Brooks, was shot to death. Jakari Rayshard Brooks was shot on Cato Street in Atlanta’s Grove Park neighborhood. Police are still trying to determine what happened.
July 14
A 17-year-old boy, Xavier Wiliams, was shot to death in Brunswick. Police said an argument between Williams and Ta’Quan Waye, 22, escalated to the shooting.
July 10
Maurice Weems, 16, was shot to death outside of an Atlanta apartment complex. Police are still working to identify the shooter.
July 5
Sadiq Brown, 16, was shot to death in Augusta. Police are still searching for the shooter.
Chamori Levelle Callender, 17, was shot to death in Smyrna. Two Austell brothers were arrested in his murder.
July 3
Nakyzi Odums, 2, died after he accidentally shot himself with his parents’ gun as they shopped for fireworks in a Walmart parking lot.
July 2
Three young boys were shot while celebrating one teen’s birthday. Jakody Davis, 13, and Lamon Freeman, who was 30 minutes into his 14th birthday, were both killed. Davis’ 11-year-old brother, DJ, was also shot but survived. Police have not located a suspect or suspects and say the boys were innocent victims.
June 25
A 19-year-old was shot to death in DeKalb County. He’s been identified as Kendarrius Spear.
June 24
A 14-year-old boy, Marcaulen Downs, was shot to death in Ocilla. The GBI has arrested a 16-year-old in his death.
June 23
A 19-year-old was one of two men shot in north Georgia. Brandon Long died. Deputies said a group of men from Rome stole a gun minutes before killing Long.
June 19
A 19-year-old, Samuel Dorsey, was shot to death outside the Clarkston Parc 1000 apartments.
June 17
A 15-year-old boy was shot to death at a Columbus apartment complex. He’s been identified as Michael Scott.
In Clarkston, 17-year-old Messiah Battle was found shot to death in a stairwell outside an apartment complex.
June 15
A 19-year-old woman was one of two people shot to death in a Sumter County club. She’s been identified as Destiny Adams.
In Sylvester, a 16-year-old girl was shot to death by a 14-year-old boy. She’s been identified as Ke’Aisa Young. The GBI has obtained arrest warrants for Kortezz Thomas.
June 4
A 19-year-old, identified as Mahki Hampton, was shot to death in Savannah. Nazzareth Thacker, 19, has been arrested in his death and charged with voluntary manslaughter.
May 31
A 17-year-old boy was shot to death in Old Fourth Ward. Malik Heard was identified as the victim. Police are still working to learn what led to the shooting and identify a suspect.
May 26:
An 18-year-old man, Landon Bashlor, was shot to death in Waycross. The GBI determined that Austin Pittman, 19, interacted recklessly with a gun that then went off inside a car.
May 18
A 15-year-old boy was shot to death in Valdosta. He’s been identified as Wesley White, Jr. Three teens were arrested in connection to his death.
May 10
Michael Jmai Palmer, 14, was shot to death in his home in Pembroke. Another teenager was arrested in his death.
May 8
Three siblings, 13-year-old Arianny, 11-year-old Chadal and 9-year-old Carlos Rodriguez, were all found shot to death in a car with their mother’s ex-boyfriend in a Gwinnett County park. Their mother and youngest sibling were at the hospital where the child was being treated for injuries when they were killed.
In Powder Springs, a 19-year-old was shot to death after what police called a social media dispute. Fabrice Robelin was identified as the victim.
In Savannah, a 19-year-old man, Laron Ashley, was shot to death.
May 6
A 17-year-old was one of two men shot to death near Georgia Tech. Jovuntae Vaughn was shot and killed at an apartment.
May 4
An 18-year-old, identified as Timothy TJ Henderson, was shot to death at a Gwinnett County apartment complex.
May 2
A 13-year-old boy, Cristopher E. Garcia-Portillo, was shot and killed by another teen in Brookhaven during a fight.
May 1
A 16-year-old was shot to death inside an Atlanta home. He was identified as Rodney Thompson.
April 30
A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed by a 15-year-old in Augusta, according to the GBI. The victim was identified as Anthony Harrison.
April 29
An 11-year-old boy was shot to death when someone opened fire on his Paulding County home. The child was identified as Zander Whatley. His family said his older brother may have been targeted after a fight with a group of men he knew.
April 28
A 15-year-old girl was shot to death at a post-prom party in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Chyell Paulk was one of four teens shot at the house party. A 19-year-old and two minors were also injured and taken to the hospital. A 17-year-old boy was arrested. The suspect was not identified.
April 27
A 17-year-old boy was shot to death in the parking lot of a Macon Planet Fitness. Sha’quvas Dean was shot after a fight broke out just before 2 a.m.
A 16-year-old boy was shot to death at an apartment in Gainesville. Jaishawn Overstreet was identified as the victim. He was a junior at Berkmar High School.
April 21
A 16-year-old from metro Atlanta was killed in a Columbus shooting, police said. Daryus Bryant, who went to New Manchester High School in Douglasville, was shot and killed on his prom night. According to Columbus Police Department, the shooting happened near Macon Road and Lake Shore Road around 11:50 pm. when someone started shooting at a red light.
When officers arrived, they found two cars with bullet holes in them. Bryant was shot in one of the cars. Clarence Favors, whose Bryant’s family identified as his classmate, was shot in the other car.
Bryant’s 17th birthday would have been the following Saturday, April 27. He was a pre-season all-state football and basketball player and the defending high jump track champion.
April 14
An 18-year-old was killed and two other people were injured in a shooting in Augusta. Terence Pinder was identified as the victim.
April 7
A 17-year-old was killed and two other people were injured in a shooting in Columbus. Bryson Cochran was identified as the victim. The two other victims were stable.
April 1
A 19-year-old was killed in Augusta. The victim was identified as Makel Jones. According to The Augusta Press, Jones was mad at the suspect, Dominique Dezel Beal, for hitting his sister and stepped in between them. Beal is wanted for murder.
March 31
A 17-year-old girl was shot to death on Easter morning in Columbus. Jania Mobely was one of two people shot to death during the incident, according to WTVM.
March 29
A 19-year-old man was shot to death by a Walmart employee in Fayetteville. Antavious Holten was shot at the Walmart on Pavillion Parkway. A nine-year-old girl was also shot. Police identified the shooter as 19-year-old Adrian Jelks, a Walmart employee.
According to the investigation, officers believe that it was an isolated incident and that Jelks planned to shoot the man. Officers identified the child as an innocent bystander who was struck by a stray bullet.
March 24
A 16-year-old boy was shot to death in Columbus. He was identified as Dennie Henderson.
March 16
An 18-year-old pregnant woman was one of two people shot to death in Vidalia. Iesha Wicker was identified as the pregnant victim. Justin Godfrey, 23, was also killed. Three people, including a 16-year-old, were arrested in their deaths.
March 13
A 19-year-old man, Bryant Elder, was shot to death in Luthersville. The 19-year-old suspect, Omar Maurice Rosser, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff with police.
March 8
A 3-year-old boy watching cartoons with his brother was shot to death in his home in Athens. Kyron Zrco was shot through the wall. Police have arrested one teenage suspect and are searching for two more.
March 7
A 17-year-old girl, Julianna Thompson, was one of two people shot to death in Smithville. Her mother, Jessica Hatcher Thompson, was also killed. Marcus Donatvious Butts was later arrested for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, home invasion, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Feb. 29
A beloved football player from Louisville, Georgia died from a gunshot wound in what school officials called a “tragic accident.” Carter Gay was a junior at Thomas Jefferson Academy, according to WJBF. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office are both investigating the manner of his death at this time.
Feb. 25
An 18-year-old was shot to death in Columbus. Earkus Porter Jr. was found dead around 2 a.m. near Belvedere Park. Family members told WTVM they believe Porter was lured to the park and shot there.
Feb. 17
A 16-year-old boy, Nasir Davis, was shot to death during a fight involving a large group of teens in Snellville. A 16-year-old boy and his other have both been arrested in connection to his death.
Feb. 15
A 17-year-old boy was found shot to death in the woods in DeKalb County. He was identified as James Smith, of Stone Mountain.
Feb. 14
A 19-year-old DeKalb County woman was shot to death on Valentine’s Day. Destiny Carson was found with a gunshot wound on Bedevere Circle. Police identified 19-year-old Marquis Simmons as the gunman.
Feb. 10
J’Quan Reed, 19, was shot to death in downtown Savannah.
A 16-year-old boy was also shot to death in Peoplestown. Police identified him as Marcellius “Fendi” Satrone Stokes.
Feb. 9
A 15-year-old boy was shot to death after a basketball game at Tri-Cities High School in Atlanta. He was identified as Mario Bailey. Another teenager was stabbed and left with critical injuries.
Feb. 3
A 14-year-old boy was shot to death in Warner Robins and another teen was injured. Traquavius Holloway died at the scene.
Jan. 31
A 14-year-old boy was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 16-year-old in Columbus. Timothy Holloway Jr. was shot in the stomach inside a car and later died. The 14-year-old, who hasn’t been identified, was charged with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and possessing a handgun while under the age of 18.
Jan. 29
A 16-year-old boy died after he was shot in northwest Atlanta. He was identified as Jakhai Grimes.
Jan. 27
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the parking lot of a Gwinnett shopping center. Elbert “Josh” Brown was shot around 2:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Paragon Town Center in Duluth. No one has been arrested.
Jan. 18
Derrick Jackson, 18, was shot to death in Columbus, according to the Ledger-Enquirer. He was shot multiple times. No one has been arrested.
Jan.13
An 18-year-old was one of two people shot at a southwest Atlanta apartment complex. Thomas Lowe died of his injuries. A 16-year-old was also shot in the arm.
In Ben Hill County, 19-year-old Cynise White was shot to death. A woman her family said she was in a relationship with, 19-year-old Diamond Murphey, was arrested on charges of murder, felony assault and aggravated assault.
Jan. 9
A shooting at The Hills at Greenbriar apartments left a 19-year-old man dead. Jaharni Smith was killed after an alleged drug deal. Michael Stephens, 19, is facing murder charges.
Jan. 2
An 18-year-old man was shot to death in what police called a “targeted” triple shooting in Atlanta. Montravious Pitts was taken to the hospital, where he died. The other victims have not been identified, but they are expected to survive.
This browser does not support the video element.