Fifth Suspect Arrested in Connection with 11-Year-Old’s Murder in Paulding County

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, has arrested a fifth suspect in connection with the April 29, 2024, shooting death of 11-year-old Zander Whatley.

Joseph Tarawalie was identified as a suspect and located in Arlington, Virginia, on February 13, 2025, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. He was extradited to Paulding County on February 22, 2025, and is currently being held without bond on the charge of murder in the Paulding County Jail.

Tarawalie joins four other suspects, Nazier Anderson, Al-Hamid Kuyateh, Osman Sesay Jr., and Modou Stephenson, who were previously arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting at 39 Ruth Way, Douglasville.

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office expressed their commitment to ensuring justice for Zander Whatley and his family and thanked the GBI and U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance.

Anyone with additional information about the case is encouraged to contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (770) 443-3047 or send a message via the Paulding Sheriff mobile app.