Atlanta Police have announced the first arrest made in connection with the fatal 404 day shooting of 16-year-old Tianah Robinson in Piedmont Park four months ago.
The accused, 17-year-old Kaine Burnette, surrendered himself to Fulton County Jail on July 30. The following day, the county solicitor’s office charged him with three misdemeanors: reckless conduct, discharging a firearm near a public street, and possession of a pistol by a person under the age of 18.
Burnette lives in Macon, North Carolina, according to jail records. He was released on $6,000 bail just after the charges were filed.
APD declined to comment on Burnette’s arrest but said that the investigation will remain active until it is fully adjudicated.
Days after the shooting, police released surveillance photos of three persons of interest believed to be connected to the shooting. The city offered a $15,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and indictment. Officials have not confirmed whether Burnette is one of those pictured.
Officials said they believe neither Robinson nor the other victim, a 15-year-old girl from Norcross who sustained a non-life-threatening injury, were targeted.
Instead, police suggested the shooting was a result of a dispute that turned violent between a separate group hanging out in the park after the official 404 Day festival had ended.
The April 4 shooting has drawn calls from youth and parents for the city to increase its violence prevention efforts and motivated Mayor Andre Dickens to ask APD to increase enforcement of the city’s youth curfew.
Dickens announced after the shooting that the city would bring charges against the parents of minors who are out too late. The curfew states that anyone under the age of 17 cannot be out unsupervised in any public spaces or businesses between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday to Saturday. Exceptions are made for kids out with a parent or guardian and kids traveling to and from work, religious or school events.
Robinson’s funeral was held April 18 at Ebenezer Baptist Church. She would have started her junior year at North Clayton High School this week.
Read More:
