“Goodfellas” Gang Members Arrested in 2024 Double Shooting
Atlanta Police announced in a press conference Wednesday (Feb. 26) that several members of the “Goodfellas” gang have been arrested in connection with a deadly double shooting last summer. The shooting occurred following a Lil Baby video shoot.
As FOX 5 Atlanta and WSB-TV report, the shooting at an apartment complex on Sparks Street claimed the lives of 13-year-olds Ja’Kody Davis and Lamon Freeman. A third child, 11-year-old Dontavious Davis, was injured.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said:
“When gun violence touches this neighborhood and can claim the lives of two 13-year-olds, it touches every Atlanta neighborhood. These individuals that committed the crime here on July 2nd were dangerous individuals that if allowed to remain free on the streets of Atlanta, Georgia, were going to use guns again to harm.”
Investigators say the shooting happened because a local rapper entered the Goodfellas’ territory to shoot a music video. A high-ranking member of the Goodfellas, currently locked up at Hays State Prison, orchestrated the attacks in retaliation.
Following those instructions, the suspects opened fire at the apartment complex where the three young teens gathered to celebrate Freeman’s birthday. The teens did not have any connection to the gangs involved in the dispute.
In total, seven suspects were arrested in connection to the shooting. They were identified as Quiyontay Sanders, Richard Hollis, Reginald Thomas, Dekeitheon Mobley, Ali Caldwell, and brothers Markus & Tradon Crawford.
The rapper and the rival gang were not named during the press conference, but authorities know who the rapper is, calling his acts “cowardly.” Further reporting by WSB-TV confirmed via arrest warrants that the rapper being referenced is Lil Baby, real name Dominique Jones.
During the May 2024 video shoot, three men were shot. Police said they saw several shootings in the days that followed that could be connected back to the music video shooting.
APD Homicide Commander Ralph Woolfolk said:
“The overall theme in this case is grown men playing gangster. Lamont Freeman was allowed to be a 13-year-old for 27 minutes before gang violence ultimately took his life. Cowardly acts of an Atlanta-based rapper that decided to go over into a rival gang stronghold and shoot a music video in a place that he knew he should not have been.”
Woolfolk also had a direct message for Lil Baby: “This team will work relentlessly to hold you accountable.”
The investigation is ongoing, and a $50,000 reward is being offered for additional information about the case.
Anyone with information on the case can submit a tip anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Tips can also be submitted directly to the Atlanta Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (404) 546-4235.