Police say the 19-year-old suspect met the brothers for a vape-cartridge sale before an altercation ended in gunfire.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged in the deaths of two teenage brothers who were shot Wednesday night in a Lawrenceville neighborhood, according to Gwinnett County police.
Police identified the victims as Jordan Boykin, 17, and Antonie Boykin, 14. Officers were called to Heather Stone Way at about 8:30 p.m. Nov. 4 after a report of a person shot. They found both teenagers suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, and both were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators initially described the case as a possible drug-related double homicide and said a person who remained at the scene was cooperating with detectives.
By Thursday, investigators identified that person as Alexander Canela-Panchi, 19. Police said Canela-Panchi had arranged to meet the brothers to sell them vape cartridges. Investigators said an altercation occurred during the transaction and accused Canela-Panchi of shooting both teenagers. Authorities have not publicly detailed what they believe started the confrontation.
Canela-Panchi faces two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault, along with charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession with intent to distribute narcotics, according to police accounts released after the arrest. The charges are accusations, and the case has not been resolved in court.
The arrest marked a major development from the first hours of the investigation. Police initially released little beyond the location of the shooting and confirmation that detectives were gathering evidence. The names and ages of those killed were withheld while investigators worked through the scene and notified relatives. Authorities also had not immediately announced whether anyone would be charged.
Investigators later said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and that there was no known continuing threat to the public. Police have not announced that another suspect is being sought. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances of the meeting and the events that led to the shooting.
The case also leaves important questions unanswered. Police have not publicly provided a detailed sequence of the confrontation or said what evidence led investigators to conclude that the meeting involved a vape-cartridge sale. Authorities have said detectives are continuing to verify information gathered during the investigation.
Relatives of the brothers have since disputed the police description of the circumstances, saying they believe money or jealousy may have played a role rather than a drug transaction. Those claims have not been established by investigators, and police have not announced a robbery charge or changed their public account of the case.
The investigation remains active. Gwinnett County police continue to seek information that could help detectives establish what happened before the shooting and determine whether additional evidence changes the current account of the killings.
Author note: Last updated November 6, 2026.