Atlanta Gang Member Indicted For Ordering Hit On Infant
A prominent Atlanta gang member was indicted this week for allegedly ordering a hit on a 9-month-old baby.
NBC 11 Alive reports that Kenneth Eric Jackson, also known as “KG the God” of the Bloods’ set Sex Money Murder, allegedly ordered a gang retaliation hit on KenDarious Edwards, Jr., a 9-month-old boy. According to police, the murder occurred on May 10, 2014, on To Lani Farm Road in Stone Mountain, after Jackson reportedly ordered numerous gang members to enter a home and shoot three women, the infant’s mother, grandmother, and a family friend. He also ordered them to shoot the baby.
The women hid in a bathroom with the baby but they were cornered, and the suspects began shooting them. All three women survived the ordeal, but young KenDarius died from gunshot wounds.
At a Tuesday press release, DeKalb County Chief of Police Cedric Alexander stated, “You’re talking about a nine-month-old helpless child, and three women who tried to protect that child.”
RT @peoplemag Gang Leader Allegedly Ordered Hit on 9-Month-Old Baby from Prison https://t.co/tEjCtwoNlP
— Bright Lights Celeb (@brightlightsclb) May 19, 2016
Along with Jackson, four other suspects were also indicted in the shootings, including Christopher Florence, Devin Thomas, Marco Watson, and Eunice English. Authorities stated that English was the only suspect who wasn’t affiliated with a gang. All five suspects face 15 charges, ranging from murder, kidnapping, violation of Georgia’s Street Gang and Terrorism Act, and numerous aggravated assault charges.
A Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC) representative recently stressed that although criminals are behind bars, they can still order malicious acts to be carried out. The representative also stated that the DOC must constantly monitor prisoners since many will attempt to get away with crimes at any given chance.
“They continue to conduct criminal activity at every chance they get.”
Jackson, currently in Autry State prison, allegedly used a contraband cellphone to talk to the head of the Sex Money Murder set and to order the hits. Cell phones continue to be a large problem in Georgia prisons. Last year alone, more than 7,000 cell phones made their way into numerous prisons across Georgia. In 2016, around 46 Georgia prison guards were fired and accused of smuggling in a number of contraband items, including cell phones.
To help battle the ongoing problem, the FCC is currently discussing a way to possibly block cellphone use inside both jails and prisons.
Meanwhile, DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James stated authorities are fed up with gang activity in Dekalb County and will continue to fight crime.
“This was a ruthless act ordered by a gang leader looking to spread fear and intimidation. We are in a war with gangs in DeKalb County, and too many innocent people are being hurt. This is not your county. Get out or face the consequences.”
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Investigators in the case said that the ordered hit was in retaliation for the death of Alexis Malone, who was killed by rival gang member Oslushsla Smith, KenDarius’ uncle. Smith pled guilty to luring Malone into the woods and beating her to death with a rock in fear that she would tell the police that he shot and killed 29-year-old Michael Phillips. Smith and an accomplice were later captured at an Atlanta hotel after a standoff with the Atlanta Police SWAT team.
Last year, James stated that he’s seeking the death penalty for Thomas for “because of the egregious nature of this senseless crime.” Thomas ended up pleading guilty to the 2014 incident and got life in prison plus 20 years. He’s seeking life in prison for Watson. Both Thomas and Watson are accused of targeting the women and infant and kicking their door before shooting them. Watson participated in the crime as an initiation into the gang. The other suspects may possibly face life in prison as well.
[Image via the Dekalb County District Attorney’s Office]
