DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb Police said Friday afternoon that a 14-year-old had been arrested and charged with murder in a gas station shooting the night before.
The shooting left one victim, described as an innocent bystander, dead Thursday night. That victim was identified earlier Friday as 28-year-old John Battle.
In addition to a felony murder charge, DeKalb Police said the teenager faces an armed robbery charge in the shooting, which happened along Covington Highway on Thursday evening.
Investigators said Battle, his girlfriend, and daughter were driving away from a Shell gas station when a group of people were arguing and started shooting at each other. A bullet struck Battle — who was not involved in the argument — amid the gunfire while he tried to drive off, causing him to wreck.
Battle died from his injuries. Police said his girlfriend and his daughter were inside the vehicle when Battle was shot and killed. They were not hurt in the shooting and were also not seriously hurt in the wreck, according to authorities.
One of the men who was involved in the dispute at the gas station was also shot. He is recovering from his injuries at a local hospital, police said.
Surveillance video from the scene seems to show two different groups caught in the gun battle. As it breaks out, customers duck for cover, hiding behind gas pumps, cars, and walls as bullets spray around them.
Windows were shattered and multiple cars were hit.
"I have four kids. I come here with my children all the time, so that's sad for somebody who was just a bystander and lost his life," said Daryl White, a customer who buys gas at the station every week.
Police said though they have made one arrest, they are still searching for the men seen in the surveillance video. Anyone with additional information on the case is asked to call homicide detectives at 770-724-7850 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.