Third suspect arrested in murder of toddler killed in Athens

Athens-Clarke County Police report the arrest of a third suspect in the March 8 shooting of a 3 year-old boy who was killed in a mobile home off Spring Valley Road in Athens. Desmontrez Mathis was arrested Thursday in Augusta. 18 year-old Dakious Echols remains at-large. Two other suspects were arrested shortly after the shooting of Kyron Zarco, who died in gunfire at the Hallmark mobile home park near Athens-Ben Epps Airport.

From the ACCPD…

On May 2, 2024, Desmontrez Mathis, the third suspect in the March 8th fatal shooting of a three-year-old infant in Athens, was arrested in Augusta, Georgia, in a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement operation. Mathis was charged with two counts of Murder (Malice and Felony Murder), four counts of Aggravated Assault, and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. Mathis also faces a federal charge for Unlawful Flight.

Mathis was arrested in an operation with law enforcement personnel from ACCPD’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Middle Georgia FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the CSRA FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department. Mathis is currently in the Clarke County Jail.

The fourth suspect in the shooting, Dakious Echols, 18-years-old, Athens, is still at large. This is an ongoing, active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Sergeant Black at 762-400-7058, or via email at scott.black@accgov.com.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved in this incident. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 706-705-4775.

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