Fairburn Police have arrested two men in connection with the Aug. 8 murder of 18 year-old Palmetto resident Brandon Horton, who was shot in the head during an altercation near Johnson Road on Fairburn’s south side.

Marcus Jackson, 18, of unincorporated south Fulton County, and Eskie Christmas, Jr., 23, of Union City, were each charged with murder, aggravated assault, cruelty to children and weapons charges, according to Fairburn Det. Charles Israel. Charges of cruelty to children were filed because one of the witnesses was 13 years of age, Israel said.

Jackson, Christmas and several other males arrived at the location where Horton and three friends were playing basketball, Israel said. An altercation ensued over comments Horton had allegedly made about Jackson, he said. Horton was pistol whipped, being struck several times in the head with a handgun prior to being shot, said Israel.

Christmas was arrested later after arriving at Fairburn Police headquarters to make a statement relating to the incident, Israel said, adding that Jackson was arrested at his home off Oakley Industrial Boulevard.

Israel said the incident was apparently preceded with Horton making a statement about Jackson. Word of the comment got back to Jackson. Just prior to the Aug. 8 shooting Jackson received a call from a relative who lived in the neighborhood where Horton and his friends were playing basketball, said Israel. Jackson apparently contacted Christmas at his home. Christmas, along with several friends visiting his home for a cookout, went with Jackson to the neighborhood where Horton and his friends were playing basketball, Israel said. It was then that the incident began, said Israel.