In the early morning hours of August 22, 2022, a tragedy unfolded in a home on Young Knoll in the Redan area of DeKalb County, Georgia, that would forever alter a family. Inside the house, 17-year-old Dimitri Hayes, a male, was with his twin brother, Xavier Hayes. The two were in their shared bedroom when a handgun discharged. The single gunshot struck Dimitri, inflicting a fatal wound.
Responding DeKalb County police officers arrived at the residence shortly before 3:30 a.m. to a devastating scene. They found Dimitri with a gunshot wound to his chin, being held in his stepfather's arms. Despite the immediate efforts of law enforcement to find a pulse, none could be detected. Dimitri was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
In the initial moments of the investigation, the family and even Xavier himself described the shooting as a tragic accident. Xavier told police that the gun went off while he was attempting to show his brother how to use it, stating he was unaware that the weapon was loaded. The brothers' sister was also present in the room and witnessed the shooting. Other family members were in different parts of the house at the time.
Despite the claims of an accident, the investigation led to the arrest of Xavier Hayes on the same day as the shooting. He was taken into custody and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. In addition to these serious charges, Xavier also faced a charge for possessing a weapon as a first-offender minor. Following his arrest, he was held at the DeKalb County jail without bond. The incident left a family and community to grapple with the profound loss of a young life and the somber reality of his twin brother facing a murder charge.
