RIVERDALE, GA – Police in Blayton County reported that a suspect shot and killed a 13-year-old while he was working in his front yard with his brother.
WATCH: Suspect sought after 13-year-old killed in #ClaytonCounty shooting – https://t.co/kOY0bjqTyL pic.twitter.com/s17qXH276Y
— John Spink (@johnjspink) October 16, 2020
On October15th, victim Brayan Zavala was in his front yard working on a lawn mower along with his 16-year-old brother, Jesus and his father. Jesus stated that an unknown person wearing a ski mask, sweater and black pants walked up to Brayan and opened fire without even saying a word.
Jesus told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
“The shooter didn’t even say I want your money, or this is a robbery or I’m assaulting you. He just came, stood there [in] silence and shot my brother.”
Sadly, Brayan died at the scene before medics or police could respond. Jesus said:
“The bullets passed through him and blood just squirted out of him. We tried to stop all the blood but by the time the police got here, it didn’t seem like he had life or a chance to live.”
Jesus reported to WSB-TV that the gunman was in a Chevy HHR-SUV, which he saw drive by their residence before it turned around and stopped. Jesus stated that he saw two other people inside of the vehicle.
Too close to home Riverdale, Ga Clayton county
Brayan Zavala memorial fund https://t.co/yoWOghprnM— Jay Reña 🇧🇧🇹🇹🇨🇺 (@jayyyrena) October 16, 2020
Jesus said when the car stopped, the unknown suspect exited and walked up to his brother with a shotgun in his hands. Without a word the gunman fired, shot Brayan in the face and killed him. Clearly unaffected, the gunman turned, walked back to the car and the suspects fled the scene.
No one recognized the vehicle, which did not have license plates, and no one was able to identify the other two suspects. Unfortunately, witnesses were unable to get a good look at the masked shooter but were able to give a clothing description.
Jesus said:
“What did…what did he do? We were working on a lawnmower, and all of a sudden, my brother is dead…It’s not fair. What’s the reason? Why? I don’t get it. I don’t get why this happened…
“My dad is really devastated. He couldn’t talk because it’s his little boy. I’m trying to be as tough as I can be so I can help them with something. It’s my brother, but I just want my family to be strong…It’s a tough situation.”
Jesus added that Brayan was a happy child and seemingly got a long with everyone which made his murder more confusing. He said:
“He was a really happy brother. He doesn’t like problems. It’s just not him. I don’t know why.”
At this stage of the investigation, police have not yet released information about any leads on the possible suspects or a motive for the murder. The Clayton County Police Department gave the following statement:
“On 10/15/2020 at 2115 hours (9:15pm), Clayton County Police Officers responded to the 30 block of Willow Way…in reference to a person being shot…Life saving measures were attempted by the family whilst waiting for the arrival of Clayton County First Responders…
“The Clayton County Police Department is humbly asking the community and any persons having knowledge of this crime to contact Detective Teske at 770-477-3659 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS with any information about this case.”
Police in Georgia asked for the public’s help finding a suspect who they say shot and killed a 12-year-old boy in front of his family. https://t.co/a6IFCX71j2
— ABC News (@ABC) October 19, 2020
Jesus created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family during this horrific time. In the post he writes:
“My name is Jesus Zavala. On the night of October 15, 2020, my little brother, Brayan was shot and killed outside of our family home. Brayan was 13 years old, turning 14 next month. He has been taken from us for no reason. At this time, the Clayton County Police are working to help my family track down the shooter. We have no answers.”
Police: 7 year old boy shot in the head while playing with a toy on the front porch of his home
August 2, 2020
PHILADELPHIA, PA – A 7-year-old child is now in critical condition following a shooting that happened in Philadelphia on Saturday evening.
Police say that young boy was shot in the head while he was playing on his front porch.
7-year-old critically wounded in ‘senseless’ shooting in West Philadelphia https://t.co/5Asby9d8DO
— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) August 2, 2020
Officials say that the shooting happened at approximately 7:30 p.m. within the 200 block of North Simpson Street. The unidentified 7-year-old victim is currently at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in extremely critical condition at this time.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw dove into what’s known thus far with regard to the events leading up to the boy being shot:
“What we know at this point is that the little boy was sitting on his front porch, playing with a toy, when groups of males were engaged in gunfire and this young 7-year-old was struck in the head by an indiscriminate bullet.”
OUTLAW: Child was playing on porch with you when group of men exchanged gunfire. Seven year old was struck in the head.@6abc pic.twitter.com/16ngT9eCT8
— George Solis (@GeorgeSolis) August 2, 2020
Police said at least 16 shell casings were recovered at the scene of the shooting and one arrest has been made.
Police have not yet recovered any weapons at this time, nor have they released the identity of the suspect in custody. The only known detail surrounding the arrest, was that the suspect had fled on foot from the scene prior to his apprehension by police.
Aaron Morse, a local within the neighborhood where the shooting took place, is saddened by the fact that it is dangerous for a child to play right outside of his home:
“A 7-year-old little boy can’t play in his own neighborhood. These guys don’t know what they’re doing with these firearms.”
Commissioner Outlaw released a formal statement on the case following the arrest of the suspect:
“An innocent seven-year-old was struck by gunfire and is in grave condition. Although an individual has been taken into custody, that does not diminish the impact this senseless act has on the child, his family, and the entire community.”
The police commissioner also stated that crimes of this magnitude have “no place” in the community, which she followed up with the following:
“While every act of gun violence is lamentable, it is especially tragic when the victim is among our most vulnerable; and it is our collective responsibility – police, and community – to ensure that our children are safe and well-protected.”
This shooting was preceded by two other fatal shootings within the city on August 1st.
Police said that a 34-year-old male was shot six times at approximately 6:30 p.m. within the 2000 block of North Marshall Street. The victim in that case was struck twice in the chest and four times in his left leg. Unfortunately, he passed away 10 minutes after he arrived at Temple University Hospital.
Hours earlier, a 20-year-old male was said to have been shot three times within the 2700 block of Howard Street. That victim was also transported to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:33 p.m. that day.
Grievously, shootings involving young children have been on the rise recently and are becoming an unsettling trend in cities across the United States.
Want to make sure you never miss a story from Law Enforcement Today? With so much “stuff” happening in the world on social media, it’s easy for things to get lost.
Make sure you click “following” and then click “see first” so you don’t miss a thing! (See image below.) Thanks for being a part of the LET family!
