4 alleged gang members charged with murder in shooting that killed Athens child

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Four young men have been indicted on multiple counts in connection with the death of a toddler in Athens, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Wednesday.

The men, including two teenagers, each face numerous charges, including felony murder, malicious murder, aggravated assault, violation of the Terrorism and Street Gang Prevention Act, possession of a firearm while of the commission of a felony and first degree felony. criminal damage to property.

Among those charged are:

• Julian Cubillos (aka “Chino”), 17, of Lawrenceville
• Jayden Brown (aka “Gloxky”), 16, of Athens
• Dakious Echols (aka “Third”), 18, from Athens
• Desmontrez Mathis (aka “Ten”), 22, from Athens

The men are accused of belonging to a local street and criminal gang called “Everybody Eats” or “EBE,” according to the indictment returned by an Athens-Clarke County grand jury. On March 8, 2024, they allegedly shot up a home in Hallmark Mobile Home Park to target a rival group known as the “Red Tape Gang.”

Children aged 3 and 9 were affected by the shooting. The youngest, Kyron Santino Zarco Smith, was shot in the chest and died.

“The death of three-year-old Kyron Santino Zarco Smith is a tragedy that should never have happened, and we are committed to ensuring those responsible are held fully accountable for their actions,” Carr said in a statement. “The violence taking place in Athens-Clarke County is unacceptable and the entire community deserves better. We have established a strong partnership with (Athens-Clarke Police) and we will continue to work together to combat gang activity in our state.

Since Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit was established in July 2022, it has partnered with Athens-Clarke police to charge 21 people in nine separate cases. Most are believed to be linked to an ongoing struggle between Everybody Eats and the Red Tape Gang.

Of those cases, five were shootings, four of which involved at least one death.

“Our hearts still mourn the family of Kyron Zarco whose tragic loss shook the Athens community,” Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters said in a statement. “I am proud of the men and women of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department who acted quickly to identify and locate those responsible. Our commitment to ending gun and gang violence in the Athens community remains steadfast as we work in partnership with the Attorney General's Office to bring justice for Kyron and his family.

The Atlanta FBI and its Central Georgia Street Gang Task Force also assisted in investigating the incident.

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