By Joe Johnson
Three suspected gang members have been charged with murder in connection with a drive-by shooting that killed a 3-year-old boy at the Hallmark Estates trailer park in east Athens.
Julian Cubillos was arrested early Saturday, and warrants for the arrests of two others had been secured, according to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
Cubillos, 17 years old and from Lawrenceville, was arrested with the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, ACCPD said.
He was booked into jail at 3:30 a.m. for malice murder, criminal gang activity and multiple counts of aggravated assault for the death of Kyron Zarco, who was on a couch with his brother watching TV when a fusillade of bullets tore through their home at about 5:30 p.m. Friday.
The 9-year-old brother was also struck by the gunfire and is hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
“I am sickened by this heinous crime, and my heart aches for the grieving family, friends and loved ones who are suffering such a tragic loss,” Police Chief Jerry Saulters said. “The Athens-Clarke County Police Department will dedicate our full strength and resources to bring the killers to justice."
Facing the same charges as Cubillos are Jayden Brown, 16, Athens, and Dakious Echols, 18, both of Athens.
All three suspects are said to belong to the EBE street gang, and the deadly shooting arose from a fued with the rival RTG gang. A teenage RTG member who was in the home with the young victims is thought by police to have been the intended target of the drive-by.
ACCPD has requested the public's assistance with the ongoing investigation, and urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Paul Johnson at 762-400-7060 or Paul.Johnson@accgov.com,
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to arrests of Brown and Echols.
Anonymous tips can be made by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 706-705-4775.