Kenneth Eric Jackson was indicted on murder and gang charges for his alleged role in the May 2014 shooting death of 9-month-old KenDarious Edwards Jr.
The alleged leader of a Georgia gang is behind the killing of a baby boy in a retaliation hit organized while the man was in prison, authorities said.
Kenneth Eric Jackson, was indicted on murder and gang charges for his alleged role in the May 2014 shooting death of 9-month-old KenDarious Edwards Jr.
Several masked men forced their way into a Decatur home and began shooting at the baby, his mother, his grandmother and a friend as the group tried to take cover in a bathroom, authorities said.
The men were allegedly carrying out an order from Jackson, whom the DeKalb County District Attorney says is the highest ranking member of the Sex Money Murder Bloods gang in Georgia.
"You're talking about a 9-month-old helpless child, and three women who tried to protect that child," Cedric Alexander, DeKalb County Chief of Police, said at a Tuesday press conference.
The three women were all shot and wounded, Alexander said.
Read: Boy, 9, Was Lured Into Alleyway and Executed Because of Father's Gang Ties: Police
Authorities allege Jackson used a contraband mobile phone while incarcerated at Autry State Prison to order the hit in retaliation for the death of another gang member who was allegedly killed by the child's uncle.
"This was a ruthless act ordered by a gang leader looking to spread fear and intimidation," DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said in a statement.
Jackson, also known as "KG the God," was charged with malice murder, felony murder, multiple counts of aggravated assault and violation of Georgia's Street Gang and Terrorism Act, CBS reported.
The two alleged gunmen, Marco Watson and Christopher Florence, face the same charges.
A third alleged gunman, Devin Thomas, pleaded guilty to murder, the DA's Office says. He has been labeled a co-conspirator and mid-level ranking member of same violent gang, according to the indictment viewed by CBS.
"We are at war with organized street gangs," James said at a Tuesday press conference. "...This is a war that we have to win. This is a war we intend to win."
Little KenDarious’ mother shared news of the indictment on her Facebook.
Calling gang life “sad and depressing,” his mother wrote that she hoped the men allegedly responsible for the murder of her child, affectionately known as “baby June,” would be found guilty and sentenced to death.
“How do you forgive? Where do I start?" she wrote in an earlier post. "How do I accept that you're gone? It's easy to say ‘you have to forgive’ or anything it's been 2 years and (the) only reason why I learned to cope with it because I have a 1 year old who needs me."
Watch: Police Captain Taunts Alleged Gang Members: I'm Not Afraid of You Punks!
