ATHENS, Ga. — An Athens-Clarke County commissioner addressed his concerns following a gang-related shooting that took the life of an innocent 3-year-old child.
Police said Kyron Zarco and his 9-year-old brother were caught in the crossfire of gang violence. As of Friday night, 16-year-old Jayden Brown and 17-year-old Julian Omar Cubillos have been arrested and charged with murder.
"They're young. Think about it. These are teenagers," Athens-Clarke County commissioner Dexter Fisher explained.
He acknowledged too many young people are choosing the streets and he said he knows that happens when they make that choice.
"If you do this, there are only two ways out, jail or death," Fisher said.
He explained some of the blame is on county and community leaders.
"We are not doing enough to engage those young people -- those young men mainly," Fisher explained.
He said they are working on it. Fisher pointed out that the county recently awarded the Boys and Girls Club of Athens with $2.8 million to help reach the young people in their communities.
He said that so far, they've opened four community centers across Athens but admits they can't do this alone.
"Somewhere along the line, we have to get our parents involved, too," Fisher said.
However, he acknowledged it's not easy being a parent and keeping a roof over your family.
"A lot of these parents, they're working. They're trying to make a living, so sometimes these kids are left alone to figure it out on their own," he said.
Fisher hopes that by opening more community centers and providing an outlet for these kids, it will help them make smarter choices.
"OK, if you're (parents) at work, then we got these activities for your child," he explained.
Fisher said another component that isn't helping these children is the ongoing housing issue in Athens. He said they have to figure out how to control some of the outrageous rent prices often driven up thanks in part to the demand due to the University of Georgia.
"Sometimes the parents get stuck in these areas where the rent may not be that high, but then you have violence and crime in those areas," Fisher explained, adding,"We got to make sure we take back our community."
Fisher said he understands there has to be more accountability for those individuals who are committing heinous crimes in their community. He said it's going to take a community-wide effort because they know this problem was created within the county lines, and these gangs are continually recruiting from neighborhoods and schools within Athens-Clarke.