Tensions rise in courtroom as teen accused of killing 3-year-old faced judge

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A teenager accused of shooting and killing a 3-year-old boy faced a judge Thursday.

Tensions were high as both families packed the courtroom even prompting the judge to give a warning about outbursts.

"If you do, you'll be gone," the judge said in court.

T'Rhigi Diggs, 3, was shot and killed on Easter night while sitting in a car outside a gas station at Eastland and Bouldercrest roads in DeKalb County.

Authorities arrested 15-year-old Christopher Cullins in the shooting in April. Officers said Cullins was retaliating against someone who shot paintballs at him and his family. He missed and hit Diggs by mistake.

Cullins appeared in court where he pleaded not guilty before his attorney asked for bond.

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Cullins attorney explained in court that her client admitted to firing a gun Easter morning but she said her client didn’t kill the child.

"I was there, it was one shot and my baby was shot," said Diggs' mother, Rashonda Craig.

The suspect's loved ones gave the middle finger to Channel 2 Action News cameras and yelled profanities as they left the courthouse.

The victim's family waited for them to leave and showed Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes a quilt they made with pictures of their baby boy.

They’ve been grieving for four months now and they want justice for Diggs.

"He had so much life, heart, I just feel like you have to be heartless to shoe no remorse and not care," Craig said.

Cox Media Group