Georgia police have charged three family members of a suspect in the death of a 13-month-old boy last week with lying to authorities in an attempt to provide an alibi.
Two teenagers, De’Marquise Elkins and Dominique Lang, are accused of fatally shooting Antonio Santiago as he sat in his stroller during an attempted robbery, which also left the boy’s mother wounded.
On Wednesday, arrest warrants were served on Elkins’ mother, Karimah Aisha Elkins, his aunt Katrina Latrelle Elkins and his sister, Sabrina Elkins for attempting a cover up.
The three women allegedly issued false statements to police, and tried to hide the weapon that police say De’Marquise used in the shooting. Sherry West, the surviving victim, identified Elkins as the man who shot her child. Brunswick, Georgia city councilman James Henry Brooks was also charged for obstructing law enforcement and influencing a witness when he stepped between police and Karimah Elkins during a court appearance Monday.
Police are investigating possible gang ties to the family, and were able to locate a .22-caliber handgun two miles from the crime scene after questioning the Elkins family. Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering said that authorities were still seeking witnesses to the broad daylight shooting.
“We know there are still witnesses out there, people who have information,” Doering said according to the Associated Press.
Because both defendants accused of the attempted robbery and shooting are under 18, District Attorney Jackie Johnson cannot seek the death penalty under Georgia law. Elkins was already facing two charges stemming from another robbery and shooting earlier this month and was charged as an adult for Santiago’s killing. West has made it clear that she wants full retribution for the death of her baby.
“I just hope the shooter dies,” she told CNN’s Piers Morgan on Monday. “I had to watch my baby die, and I want him to die. A life for a life.”
