04/21/2022

Outside of a DeKalb County skating rink on April 9th, 2022, 11-year-old D’Mari Johnson was shot in the head. Read the previous article on our blog.

The DeKalb County Police Department has confirmed that they made an arrest in the ongoing shooting investigation that occurred outside of the Golden Glide skating rink, leaving the victim in critical condition.

Earlier this week, DeKalb County Police claimed they had identified the suspect and believed it to be another child. At around 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning, the 13-year-old shooting suspect was taken into custody. Investigators are now interviewing him at the DeKalb County Police Headquarters about the shooting.

"While I'd like to say it was a great day, I'm actually kind of saddened by the fact that we have an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old whose live will never be the same."

-Mirtha Ramos, DeKalb County Police Chief

Due to his age, the police are not currently identifying the suspect. The charges he will face are currently unclear, and the police have yet to determine a motive.

Following the news of the arrest, the family released a public statement through their attorneys:

“The family of D’Mari Johnson is thankful that the individual who allegedly shot D’Mari has been identified and arrested. The family extends its gratitude to the DeKalb County Police Dept. and the other agencies who assisted them in their investigation of this horrific crime. 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.”

-Cochran Firm Attorneys Shean Williams and Gary Andrews

According to the victim’s family, Johnson is continuing in the fight for his life at the hospital, in a medically induced coma.

Read more at WSBTV.

Read additional information at CBS 46 News.