On Tuesday, Atlanta police arrested a 22-year-old man accused of killing a 6-month-old boy in a drive-by shooting Monday afternoon, police reported.
Dequasie Little, the man accused of the shooting, was taken into custody on suspicion of murder and aggravated assault, police reported, less than 24 hours after he allegedly opened fire.
The drive-by shooting occurred near Atlanta's Anderson Park, and police said the infant was in a nearby vehicle when he was struck.
The baby was transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead once he arrived. Police said the child and his family were not the intended targets of the shooting.
Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant shared that immediately after the child's death, intelligence analysts swarmed the case with the help of a gang unit and homeland security.
While he was happy with the arrest, Bryant said it offered no comfort to the loss that was endured.
"I'm mad as hell that the incident occurred in the first place," Bryant said at a press conference. "We are seeing too many instances where people don't know how to resolve a conflict. When the mayor and I were able to talk to the mother of this child, we were speechless. What can you say to a mother that's lost a child — to nonsense? To nonsense."
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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also shared his condolences with the child's family on Tuesday after announcing Little’s arrest with Bryant. They called it a needless loss for his parents and the region.
"Every child in this city is our own," Dickens said.
There have been two other children under the age of 5 shot this year, including a 1-year-old who died after what appeared to be an accidental shooting by another child with an unsecured gun, and a shootout between drivers which resulted in a 5-year-old being injured nearby, NBC News reported
At the scene of the shooting on Monday, Dickens called out those who can't settle their fights with words.
"The children are bearing the brunt and losing their lives because adults are unable to settle their disputes without going to guns," Dickens said.
As for why Little was arrested, Byrant indicated that a security video showed a vehicle that triggered valuable tips.
"As we put out information, people were calling in and giving us as much information as they could," Bryant said. "We're confident we have the shooter."
Others are believed to be connected to the shooting, and Bryant reported that they are "still early in this investigation."
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