In the early evening of December 13, 2020, a sense of normalcy was shattered in a wooded residential neighborhood of Powder Springs, Georgia. Armondo 'AJ' Kimbrough, a 16-year-old male, was walking to a local store with two 13-year-old companions near Hopkins Court. It was a routine walk that tragically turned into the scene of the city's first homicide of the year.
Around 5:45 p.m., a vehicle drove by the three teenagers and an occupant, or occupants, opened fire in their direction. All three boys were struck by the gunfire. When Powder Springs police arrived at the scene, they found Kimbrough and the two younger boys with serious injuries. They were all transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Armondo AJ Kimbrough was pronounced dead from his injuries. The two 13-year-old victims were treated for their wounds.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement began an investigation into the drive-by attack. Investigators from both the Powder Springs and Cobb County detective agencies collaborated on the case. However, they were unable to immediately identify a suspect or provide a description of the vehicle involved. Kimbrough's grandmother, who heard the gunshots and rushed to the scene, expressed her belief that the shooting was a case of mistaken identity, stating that her grandson, who had just recently gotten his first job, was a good kid and not involved in any trouble.
As of early 2026, the case of Armondo AJ Kimbrough's murder remains unsolved. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and the individual or individuals responsible for his death have not been publicly identified. The investigation has been hampered by a lack of cooperation from potential witnesses. The community continues to remember the tragic loss of a young life, while his family and friends still await justice.
