Athens gang member pleads not guilty to toddler’s murder

Dakious Rico Echols

By Joe Johnson

An Athens gangster has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the death of a 3-year-old boy who was the innocent bystander of a gang-related driveby shooting four months ago.

Along with three other members of the EBE (Everybody Eats) street gang, Dakious Rico Echols is accused of participating in the March 8 shooting that took the life of Kyron Zarco, who was watching TV inside his home when struck in the chest by a bullet that had been intended for a pair of gangsters who were outside on the front porch.

The child’s 9-year-old brother was wounded by gunfire.

Kyron Zarco

Echols and the other members of the EBE gang were indicted on charges of malice and felony murder, aggravated assault, and violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

All four gangsters are alleged to have shot guns from a moving vehicle towards Zarco’s home at Hallmark Estates, a trailer park located off of Spring Valley Road.

Echols entered not guilty pleas on July 12 during an arraignment in Clarke County Superior Court.

Codefendants Julian Cubillos and Desmontrez Mathis are scheduled to be arraigned next month.