Sherri West told police she was returning home from the post office on Thursday when she was approached by two teens who asked her for money. When she told them she didn’t have any money, the oldest of the 2 boys pulled a gun and shot her toddler. Antonio, in the face as he slept in his stroller.
13-month-old Antonio was pronounced dead at the scene. The toddler was cremated 2 days later and his mother asked the crematory staff to dispose of the child’s ashes.
West was also shot in the thigh and another bullet grazed her ear.
Police took De’Marquise Elkins, 17, into custody on Sunday, after a relative of his 14-year-old accomplice told authorities the boy was acting strangely.
Karimah Elkins, 36, and 33-year-old Katrina Elkins, Elkins’s aunt and mother were arrested Monday night and charged with making false statements to police, the AJC reports.
Karimah Elkins originally told police De’Marquise showed up at her home at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and ate breakfast. She said the teen accompanied her as she ran errands with her children throughout the day. She said he could not have shot the baby because he was with her all day.
The two women posted $1,104 bail and bonded out of jail Tuesday morning, according to the SavannahNow website.
Glynn County police Chief Matt Doering told the Associated Press that information the two women gave to police was instrumental in helping police recover the murder weapon.
“I feel glad that justice will be served,” West said. “It’s not something I’m going to live with very well. I’m just glad they caught him.”
De’Marquise Elkins’ sister, Sabrina Elkins, told AP her brother was innocent. “He couldn’t have done that to a little baby,” she said. “My brother has a good heart.”
