2 Arrested In Gang Shooting Of 17-Year-Old At Marietta Home

MARIETTA, GA -- Two people have been arrested in the accidental fatal shooting of a teenager late last month at a Marietta home, police said Wednesday. The body of 17-year-old Miles Saunders was found inside his residence on August 27 after a 911 call, Marietta police said.

A second handgun was found during an investigation, police spokesman Officer Chuck McPhilamy told Patch in an email. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Warrants were issued this week for two people -- a 16-year-old (unnamed in information obtained by Patch) and 17-year-old Nicholas Palmer, police said. Both suspects are facing multiple charges, including a minor in possession of a firearm, felony murder and street gang/ terrorism violations.

The shooting took place around 5:48 a.m. inside a home in the 700 block of Wilson Circle, Marietta police said.

Officers responded to a call stating that a teenager was wounded by a firearm, Marietta police said.

"The investigation revealed that the shooting of Miles Saunders was gang-motivated," McPhilamy said. "Both suspects are now in custody and the case is being turned over to the Cobb County District Attorney’s office for prosecution."

Although he is charged as an adult, the Marietta Police Department is not releasing the name of the 16-year-old suspect at this time, he said.

The two suspects will be tried as adults, McPhilamy said.

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Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the Marietta Police Department tip line (770) 794-6990.

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