Accused Gunman, Family Slain In Metro ATL Identified

EAST ATLANTA, GA — Police have identified the suspect in an East Atlanta murder-suicide that left five people shot to death, including two children.

DeKalb County Police on Monday said Jonathan Darden was identified as the suspect and the 32-year-old man killed in the domestic-related shooting Saturday at a Vineyard Walk apartment.

The shooting also claimed the lives of Mollian Johnson, a 43-year-old woman who police said was dating Darden, and her grandchildren, 5-year-old Jedorah Powell and 1-year-old Jontavious Powell.

The children's mother, 26-year-old Kaylyn Samuels, also died in the shooting, police said.

The family of five lived together at the home, police said. They were found dead around 7:30 p.m. when police conducted a welfare check.

Family member Chanel Carter told Fox 5 Atlanta that four of the deceased were her family members, including her mother and sister.

"I’ll never be able to talk to her or laugh with her again," Carter said about her sister to Fox 5. "Or talk with my mom, or laugh with my mom again, or hug any of them."

She was named as the person who requested the welfare check after not hearing from her mother, the news outlet reported.

A motive for the deadly shooting is unknown.