Three teenagers and an adult face murder charges in Georgia after a mother found her 15-year-old son shot dead inside an abandoned house post-Halloween. The Albany Police Department revealed that they arrested 22-year-old Detravion Parke, along with two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old, linking them to the demise of Austin Payne, also 15.
Authorities charged all four suspects with murder and sent them to the Dougherty County Jail. Officers responded to Cameo Lane in Albany on November 1, where they found Payne’s body inside an empty home. His mother located him using cellphone tracking, as he had not returned after Halloween night, according to WALB.
Police Chief Michael Persley told reporters on November 2 that Payne had called his mother notifying that he had been shot. Investigators used surveillance, phone records, and witness reports to piece together what happened before Payne’s death.
Witness accounts suggest armed individuals confronted Payne’s group, attempting to rob them, which resulted in gunfire. WALB reports that this incident may have been a targeted robbery due to Payne sharing images of a handgun on social media.
In response to Payne’s death, his family created a GoFundMe to assist with funeral costs. A family member noted that Payne was approaching his 16th birthday on November 12. The fundraiser also highlighted that Payne is survived by his mother and a 17-year-old sister.
The Albany Police Department seeks additional information regarding the shooting. Investigators can be contacted at 229-431-2100.
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