3-Year-Old Fatally Shot in South Downtown Atlanta, Two Adults Charged

ATLANTA — A 3-year-old child has died after being shot in South Downtown Atlanta, and two adults are now facing felony charges, police said. The boy was later identified as Armani Lyons.

Officers with Atlanta Police Zone 3 responded around 12:37 a.m. on April 5, 2026, to a report of a person shot near the 900 block of Washington Street SW. Upon arrival, officers found a 3-year-old suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

The child was transported to a hospital by ambulance but was later pronounced deceased by medical personnel.

Homicide investigators responded to the scene and conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities said probable cause was established to obtain arrest warrants for two suspects.

Police identified the suspects as 71-year-old Barbara Edwards and 35-year-old Jermaine Hardeman. Edwards had been babysitting the young boy at the time of the shooting. Both have been charged with felony murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and cruelty to children in the second degree.

A gofundme fundraiser was established to pay for the victim’s funeral costs.

The investigation remains ongoing.