Athens, Georgia – Three individuals believed to be part of a gang have been charged with murder following a drive-by shooting in East Athens that tragically took the life of a 3-year-old boy at the Hallmark Estates trailer park. The suspects involved in the incident are Julian Cubillos, 17, Jayden Brown, 16, and Dakious Echols, 18, all allegedly linked to the EBE street gang.
Julian Cubillos was taken into custody with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. He faces charges of malice murder, criminal gang activity, and multiple counts of aggravated assault for his role in the death of Kyron Zarco, who was fatally shot while watching TV with his 9-year-old brother in their home.
The 9-year-old sibling was also injured in the shooting but is currently in stable condition at a local hospital. Police Chief Jerry Saulters expressed deep sorrow over the tragic event, vowing to allocate all necessary resources to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide support to the grieving family and community members affected by this senseless act of violence.
According to authorities, the shooting was a result of an ongoing feud between the EBE gang and their rival, the RTG gang. The intended target of the drive-by was believed to be a teenage member of the RTG gang who was present at the scene during the incident. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation.
Detective Paul Johnson can be contacted at 762-400-7060 or via email at Paul.Johnson@accgov.com for individuals with information related to the case. Additionally, Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for details leading to the arrest of the remaining suspects, Jayden Brown and Dakious Echols. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 706-705-4775. The community’s cooperation is essential in ensuring that justice is served for the innocent victim and his family.