Shooting suspect now in custody

Mon, 12/05/2005 - 9:24am
By: Ben Nelms

A Riverdale man wanted by Union City Police in the Nov. 11 shooting of five teenagers at Union Station Apartments turned himself in Tuesday. The man was out on bond in connection to the killing of a four-year-old Riverdale child in 2004. A 15-year-old male has also been charged in the Union City case.

Brian Talaiferro Smith, 19, surrendered to Union City authorities at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday. He was accompanied by his mother and Atlanta attorney Phillip Jackson, according to Sgt. George Louth. Smith is being held in Fulton County Jail without bond.

In earlier statements, Louth said the Nov. 11 multiple shooting led to the issuance of five warrants for aggravated assault, five charges of aggravated battery and one count of participating in a criminal street gang. Smith is an apparent member of a south metro street gang based in Clayton County, Louth said.

Louth said a 15-year-old male who may be equally culpable in the Union Station incident had a first appearance hearing Nov. 25 and is currently in custody in a Fulton County Youth Detention Center.

A 13-year-old female and four males, ages 15-17, were shot in the incident. The female lost her gall bladder and one kidney as a result of the shooting. One of the males suffered gunshots in the shoulder, arm and upper leg. Two of the teenagers were shot in the lower leg while the fifth victim was shot in the upper leg.

Louth said the incident occurred after a party at an adjoining apartment complex had been broken up and some of those attending moved to a vacant apartment at Union Station. It was in the area of Building 34 where the shots were fired, he said.

Smith has also been indicted on murder charges in connection the 2004 shooting death of four-year-old Trevon Wilson, according to Clayton County Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney John Turner. Smith, one of 18 indicted in the gang-related shootout that led to the toddler’s death, was out on bond when the Union City shooting occurred. The toddler was killed when he was caught in a crossfire between the Southside Mafia and The Hit Squad, Turner said.

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