In the late summer evening of August 30, 2023, a tragedy unfolded in Atlanta, Georgia, that claimed the life of 6-month-old Charles Watson Jr. The infant, his 27-year-old mother, and 23-year-old father were inside their vehicle at the Hills at Greenbriar apartment complex when gunfire erupted around 8:15 p.m. The family was caught in the crossfire, and all three sustained injuries.
They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where the baby succumbed to his wounds.
His father was left in critical condition, while his mother was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. The family remembers the infant, who was born premature and was just learning to walk and talk, as a child who was always smiling and playing.
Atlanta police believed the shooting was a targeted attack, possibly connected to a previous shooting that occurred at the same apartment complex in May of that year. Investigators began searching for at least two shooters who were seen fleeing in a light-colored four-door sedan.
Months later, authorities made a break in the case. In March and April of 2024, two suspects were apprehended. Jariath McDowell was the first to be taken into custody on March 30, followed by the arrest of 19-year-old Deshown Woodward. Both men were charged with murder and three counts of aggravated assault. The infant's father was able to identify Woodward as one of the shooters, and the baby's mother also identified him in a photo lineup. Further investigation suggested a possible prior connection between one of the victims and one of the suspects.
