Athens boy was shot in head by his own brother

Quavarez Sanders

By Joe Johnson

The suspect who shot a boy on a street corner near downtown Athens was the victim’s own brother, according to a police report.

The 16-year-old victim was found by police at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday near the corner of West Broad and Pulaski streets, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head.

According to the report, when asked at the hospital about what happened, the boy gave vague and inconsistent answers.

The victim reportedly said the incident occurred while he was walking home and he was ambushed by an unknown assailant. He also told police that the shooter had followed him in a vehicle.

When asked about possible motives for being shot, the boy reportedly told police that it could have had something to do with a fight that he had with his brother, Quaverez Sanders.

Investigators viewed Sanders as a possible suspect when they linked him to his mother’s SUV that was viewed on surveillance camera footage being driven recklessly in the area of the shooting.

After additional investigation, detectives took out warrants charging the 20-year-old brother with aggravated assault and aggravated battery, and they arrested him on Thursday.

Police said the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening and he remained hospitalized in stable condition.