A bittersweet day.
That’s how Brunswick Police Chief Tobe Green has described Friday’s arrest of two teens who he says are responsible for the fatal shooting of a 13-month-old baby.
“It’s bitter because of the occurrences of yesterday. But it’s sweet to know that we have two arrests for the persons who committed this horrendous act,” Green says.
Green says 17-year-old Demarquise Elkins and a 14-year-old whom he did not name because the individual is a minor, are now facing first-degree murder charges. Elkins will be charged as an adult under Georgia law. While police would not confirm whether they are local students, Elkins' Facebook page says he studies at Glynn Academy, which is near where the shooting took place.
Police say Sherry West was walking her baby in a stroller yesterday when the pair confronted her. West claims they demanded money from her and threatened to kill her baby if she did not comply. Her baby was shot and killed. She was also shot and taken to the hospital with injuries, but has since gone back home. Police have not yet confirmed that motive.
“We’re trying to turn every stone to make sure we get a motive,” he says.
While police have made these arrests, the investigation itself continues.
“We’re still following leads for witnesses, we’re still involved in collecting evidence,” Green says.
Specifically, they are working now to find the gun used in this incident. Police are serving search warrants at three locations around Brunswick.
If you have any information about this incident, you are urged to call the Silent Witness Line at 912-267-5516 or 912-264-1333.