Paulding County, Ga. — A late-night meeting to purchase a THC vape ended in tragedy after an 18-year-old was shot and killed, according to authorities.
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a shooting in the Hiram area on Wednesday night, where they found 18-year-old Sir Ethan-Dupree Jones suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but the teen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Jones had arranged to meet a group of individuals to purchase a THC vape product when the situation turned deadly.
According to law enforcement, multiple suspects opened fire during the encounter, striking the victim before fleeing the area.
Authorities later used surveillance technology, including license plate readers and video footage, to identify a vehicle connected to the shooting.
A coordinated operation led to the arrest of four suspects, whose ages range from 15 to 20. One of the suspects is being charged as an adult.
Officials confirmed the suspects face serious charges, including malice murder and felony murder, as the investigation continues.
A statement from the victim’s family emphasized the broader impact of the violence, saying no dispute or transaction should ever result in a young life being lost and calling for an end to rising gun violence among teens.
The case remains under active investigation, and authorities have not yet released further details about what led to the confrontation.
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