Atlanta police are seeking a third suspect in the triple shooting that left 14-year-old Kaidan Barlow-Gardener dead. It is unclear what prompted the brawl, but investigators say a group of teenagers got into an argument and a gunfight ensued. When officers arrived, they found Barlow-Gardener unresponsive and dead. In the aftermath of the shooting, Atlanta police released video of a “person of interest” who is believed to have shot and killed Kaidan.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the brawl was caused by several teens who allegedly engaged in a fight and sprayed gunshots. Police reportedly found two handguns on the 17-year-old suspect, but did not charge him in the death of Barlow-Gardener. He was charged with possessing a handgun while under the age of 18, but not with the shooting of Barlow-Gardener.
Police say the melee lasted for nearly half an hour before officers cleared the area of the teens and found Barlow-Gardener unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his chest. A short time later, police found two additional juvenile victims with apparent gunshot wounds. While the police have not said how the fight began, they do say several teens were involved. It is unclear whether the teenagers were friends or were raging against each other.
Atlanta police released surveillance video footage of the July 3 incident in which a 15-year-old juvenile was arrested. Jeffries has been charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault, and weapons possession. He remains in custody without bond. Earlier, Jeffries was already in jail for other crimes, including aggravated assault and child cruelty. So, the arrests are a step toward solving this heinous crime.