Community mourns 8-year-old boy shot and killed at apartment complex

ATLANTA — Police said an 8-year-old boy has died after he was shot at a southwest Atlanta apartment complex Saturday night.

Atlanta Police said the shooting happened at an apartment complex on Alison Court around 10:15 p.m. The child was rushed to the hospital but did not survive his injuries.

Friends and family gathered Sunday night to remember Kayden Jones.

Signs up at the complex Sunday night read “Long live Kayden.”

Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins talked to a neighbor, who said she was blessed to have known the child.

“He had a good humble spirit and everything. Little baby,” neighbor Stevie Rogers said. “I’m thankful to God that he did let us meet the baby. And the family. They’re hard working parents. They took care of their kids.”

Rogers said the family had just moved to the area from Alabama.

“Kayden was God’s gift,” she said.

Friends and family are struggling to make sense of the hole that is now left in their hearts.

“At the same time, God is in charge and I thank Him for the short time we did have with Kayden,” Rogers said.

Many neighbors are worried about what school will be like tomorrow for all the children who knew Kayden.

“How do you keep trying to explain to another 7 or 8-year-old that their friend is not coming back or it will be ok?” neighbor Shativious Jackson asked.

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It’s unclear who fired the gun, but police said the shooting appeared to be accidental.

Crime scene tape was strung up across one unit of apartments Saturday night. Family members who were gathered outside were sobbing and hugging.

Detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Community mourns 8-year-old killed in shooting at apartment complex

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