In a tragic turn of events stemming from a cycle of gang retaliation, 9-month-old Kendarius Edwards Jr., a male infant, lost his life on the eve of Mother's Day, May 10, 2014, in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The violence that ended his life was not meant for him, but was the consequence of a deadly internal gang dispute that spiraled out of control. The chain of events began when the baby's uncle, Oslushla Smith, a member of the Sex Money Murder set of the Bloods gang, was involved in the killing
of another individual. Fearing a 17-year-old acquaintance, Alexis Malone, would cooperate with police, Smith and fellow gang members murdered her. This killing was reportedly 'unauthorized' by the gang's leadership.
The order for retaliation came from behind prison walls. Kenneth Eric Jackson, the highest-ranking member of the Sex Money Murder gang in Georgia, used a contraband cellphone from his jail cell to command a hit on Oslushla Smith for the unsanctioned killing. When the assigned hitmen could not locate Smith, Jackson redirected the violence toward Smith's family. On that Saturday night, several assailants forced their way into the To Lani Farm Road home belonging to Smith's mother. Inside, they cornered three women and the infant Kendarius in a bathroom and opened fire. The baby's mother, Tanyika Smith, held him in her arms, trying to shield him in a bathtub as more than 20 rounds were fired inside the residence. Tanyika was struck eight times, and the baby's grandmother and a family friend were also wounded. Kendarius Edwards Jr. was shot multiple times at point-blank range and died from his injuries.
The investigation into the senseless murder led to the arrests of several individuals. Devin Thomas, 18 at the time, was identified as one of the gunmen. To avoid a potential death sentence, Thomas pleaded guilty to murder and other charges and was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years, with the possibility of parole. At his sentencing, he apologized to the family. The gang leader who ordered the attack, Kenneth Jackson, was indicted for his role as the mastermind. A jury later convicted him and another shooter, Christopher 'Trillz' Florence, of murder. Jackson and Florence were both sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A third man involved, Marco Watson, who accompanied the shooters to the home, was convicted on weapons charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
