4 Indicted In GA Gang Shooting That Killed Toddler, Injured Boy: Carr

ATHENS, GA — Four people, including a 16-year-old boy, were indicted this week on murder charges in connection with the March 8 shooting death of a 3-year-old boy, Attorney General Chris Carr said.

Carr said Wednesday an Athens-Clarke County grand jury indicted Julian Cubillos, Jayden Brown, Dakious Echols and Desmontrez Mathis as suspected members of the alleged gang, Everybody Eats.

The shooting at a Spring Valley Road mobile home park killed Kyron Santino Zarco Smith, 3, and injured a 9-year-old boy, Carr said. The unnamed boy had non-threatening injuries, Carr said.

Smith was shot in the chest and died at the scene, Carr and police said.

The defendants allegedly went to the mobile home park to target a rival gang in efforts to maintain and increase their status within Everybody Eats, Carr said.

He added they were indicted Tuesday on malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

“The death of 3-year-old Kyron Santino Zarco Smith is a tragedy that should have never occurred, and we’re committed to ensuring those responsible are held fully accountable for their actions,” Carr said in a news release. “The violence that’s taken place in Athens-Clarke County is unacceptable, and the entire community deserves better. We have established a strong partnership with ACCPD, and we will continue to work together to combat gang activity in our state.”

RELATED: 2 Charged, 2 At Large In Fatal Athens Shooting Of 3-Year-Old: Police

Carr claimed Everybody Eats is a hybrid criminal street gang established in Athens-Clarke County.

He said his Gang Prosecution Unit and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department have partnered on indictments for 21 people in nine separate cases, including those believed to be connected to a suspected conflict between Everybody Eats and the alleged Red Tape Gang.

Of the aforementioned cases, Carr said five shootings occurred between April 2022 and March in Athens. Four of the shootings were fatal, Carr said.

“Our hearts still grieve with the family of Kyron Zarco whose tragic loss shook the Athens community,” Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters said in the release. “I am proud of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s men and women who acted quickly to identify and locate those responsible. Our commitment to stopping gun and gang violence in the Athens community remains unwavering as we partner with the Attorney General’s Office to bring justice for Kyron and his family.”

Cubillos (A.K.A. “Chino”), 17, of Lawrenceville:

• 1 count of malice murder
• 2 counts of felony murder
• 6 counts of aggravated assault
• 6 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
• 1 count of criminal damage to property in the first degree

Mathis (A.K.A. “Ten”), 22, of Athens:

• 1 count of malice murder
• 3 counts of felony murder
• 6 counts of aggravated assault
• 12 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 3 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
• 1 count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• 1 count of criminal damage to property in the first degree

Brown (A.K.A. “Gloxky”), 16, of Athens:

• 1 count of malice murder
• 2 counts of felony murder
• 6 counts of aggravated assault
• 6 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
• 1 count of criminal damage to property in the first degree

Echols (A.K.A “Third”), 18, of Athens:

• 1 count of malice murder
• 2 counts of felony murder
• 6 counts of aggravated assault
• 6 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
• 1 count of criminal damage to property in the first degree