Atlanta Police Charge Teen Suspect In Fatal Shooting Of 8-Year-Old Girl Near Wendy’s

A teen suspected in the shooting of eight-year-old Secoriea Turner, who was killed July 4 during protests near a Wendy’s outlet in Atlanta, has been charged, authorities said.

Julian Conley, 19, faced felony murder and aggravated assault charges in the death of Turner. Police issued warrants for him Tuesday, July 14, and he turned himself to the authorities the following day, Atlanta Senior Officer Tasheena Brown told Fox News. Jail records showed he was being held in the Fulton County jail.

Turner was shot near the Wendy's outlet where Rayshard Brooks was killed by a police officer June 12, spurring weeks of protests in the area where illegal barricades were raised as armed men blocked roads.

Conley's arrest came on the same day Turner's funeral service was being held at the New Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Her parents had, during a press conference on Monday, sought the public’s help in locating the suspect who shot the girl. They also announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest.

Turner was shot while aboard an SUV with her mother and another adult. The bullet struck her when the vehicle attempted to make a U-turn at one of the barricades the protesters had raised.

Jackie Patterson, Conley’s attorney, said the latter, though armed, was peacefully protesting and didn’t open fire. He said Conley witnessed a man with a rifle shooting into the vehicle after it hit him near a barricade, USA Today reported.

Patterson added Conley had seen himself identified by the police as a person of interest in the killing of Turner and thought he should “set the record straight.”

As violence unfolded in the area following Brooks' fatal shooting, protesters set the restaurant on fire, and at least 75 shootings were reported across the city as of July 6.

Following Turner's death, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ordered the eviction of protesters who continued to occupy the place despite her trying to negotiate with them for weeks.

“At the point that an 8-year-old baby is killed, the discussions have ended,” Bottoms had said.