12-year-old boy fatally shot in southwest Atlanta crossfire identified

Boy killed by crossfire in southwest Atlanta

A 12-year-old boy is dead after being struck by crossfire in a southwest Atlanta apartment complex on Thursday.

ATLANTA - A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed on Thursday evening in southwest Atlanta after gunfire erupted between two groups at an apartment complex, authorities said.

On Friday morning, the victim's mother identified him as Ja-nylen Greggs. She told FOX 5 Atlanta that he had just celebrated his 12th birthday. 

What we know:

The shooting happened just after 7 p.m. at an apartment community in the 3200 Cushman Circle SW. According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, the boy was struck by gunfire as one of the groups opened fire from a blue car while driving away from a confrontation.

Despite emergency efforts by Grady EMS and staff at Grady Memorial Hospital, the child died from his injuries.

Police believe the boy was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. A second individual, believed to have been trying to escape the gunfire, suffered minor injuries but did not require medical attention beyond the scene.

APD chief on deadly child shooting

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum discussed the deadly shooting of a 12-year-old boy in southwest Atlanta.

Local perspective:

Chief Schierbaum said the department is actively following up on leads and urged the public to come forward with any information, including video footage. "This is a city effort to identify the individuals that opened fire in this neighborhood," he said. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.

"This neighborhood lost a child. The city lost a child," Schierbaum said during a press briefing held at the scene. "This is what the impact of gun violence is."

The shooting follows another recent act of violence at the same complex, where a 28-year-old was shot in the head just weeks ago. Some residents voiced frustration over the lack of security and recurring violence.

"We have been aggressively pursuing gun violence in this city," Schierbaum said, adding that the city takes a "holistic approach" to reduce shootings. "There should be no doubt that the Atlanta Police Department will be present... to address any factors that may be breeding gun crime."

He emphasized that individuals who bring guns to conflicts will be arrested and prosecuted.

When asked what message he had for parents as summer begins, Schierbaum said, "This is a safe city, and the city is getting safer each year. But one individual with a gun can break that sense of safety and can break families apart. That happened here tonight."

SEE ALSO: 28-year-old man shot in head in southwest Atlanta

What they're saying:

A certified medical assistant described the harrowing aftermath and called for justice. The shooting happened near a residential building in what the witness described as a chaotic scene. Gunshots rang out near a truck parked on the street. When the neighbor, who did not provide her name, arrived at the scene, she said she rushed inside to help.

"I went in the house because I’m a certified medical assistant," she said. "The baby was on the couch and his eyes was open, he [was] unresponsive. I’m hoping that... I’m sorry that this happened to him and his family. And whoever did this — I hope they get caught."

The woman estimated the child was between 11 and 14 years old. "He didn’t deserve it, and his family don’t deserve to go through what they’re going through right now," she said, visibly emotional. "That baby, they had nothing to do with what they had going on. You out here shooting, and you probably hit that baby and don’t even care. No remorse."

She said she had heard gunfire shortly before arriving and saw bullets strike the area near their vehicle but could not identify the shooter.

The incident occurred near the middle building in the complex. "That’s where that baby was," the woman said. "That’s not cool. I got kids. I’d be heartbroken, destroyed. I’d be out of my mind right now."

She also expressed frustration over the ongoing violence. "Everybody want to pull a gun. What happened to using your hands? People so scared to get their behind whooped, they got to use guns — and then y’all end up hurting people that ain’t got nothing to do with nothing," she said.

What we don't know:

Police did not release further details about the suspects or vehicle due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.