Police just outside Atlanta say they have arrested a 13-year-old boy in the shooting of an 11-year-old outside a skating rink earlier this month.
D’Mari Johnson is still in critical condition after he was shot in the head at the Golden Glide skating rink on April 10, according to WSB.
DeKalb County police said earlier this week they had identified a suspect and that it was a child; the teen was taken into custody early Thursday morning.
Johnson’s family announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest on Monday and said they also want the county to take a closer look at the Golden Glide.
“Their child was shot at a place that has a history of issues and violence,” attorney Shean Williams said. “Golden Glide has a history of violence at that place, a history of violence and shooting. We believe the shooting wouldn’t have occurred if the place had adequate security.”
The establishment has multiple security cameras outside and reportedly has security guards on duty inside when it’s open, WGCL reported.
Johnson was leaving the skating rink when gunfire began, striking the boy in the back of the head. He is in a medically-induced coma in the hospital.
“We don’t know why he was shot,” Williams said. “We just know he shouldn’t have been shot.”
The 13-year-old is not being named because he is a minor, and it’s unclear what charges he faces.
DeKalb Police Chief Mirtha Ramos said investigators have not come up with a motive for the shooting and said that community tips led to the arrest.
“I don’t want to lay blame and I don’t want to speak for the parents,” she said, according to WSB. “We don’t know the circumstances where they were or why the children were there. We do just ask that the community work together, work with your children to keep DeKalb County safe.”
Johnson’s family released a statement after the arrest, saying they were “thankful” for the arrest:
“We are saddened that a 13-year-old could allegedly perpetrate such a heinous act. The family would like to thank the community for their support and asks for continued prayers for D’Mari’s recovery. The Cochran Firm is actively conducting its own investigation into this tragic incident. We look forward to the results of the investigation into Golden Glide by various agencies within DeKalb County. We must remain vigilant in protecting the children in our community.”
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[Featured image: D’Mari Johnson/GoFundMe]
