BRUNSWICK, Ga. -- Police stormed three Brunswick, Georgia homes Friday on the hunt for evidence, after a 13-month-old baby boy was murdered in cold blood.
Just 24 hours after Antonio Santiago was shot in the face while sitting in his stroller, police say the alleged killers were caught. "This today is a bittersweet day for the Brunswick Police Department," said Police Chief TC Green. "Bitter because of what's happened, and sweet because we've made two arrests."
Police arrested two teens Friday morning, including a 14-year-old whose name has not been released due to his age, and 17-year-old Demarquis Elkins. Elkins' sister told Action News there is no way he's involved. "He loved babies. He loves all kids," said Sabrina Elkins as police searched her home. "He has a good heart. My brother would never in life do something like this to no baby."
Their aunt, Katrina Freeman, tells Action News Elkins was with her when the shooting took place Wednesday morning.
"I know one-hundred percent that he's innocent. He was with me all morning."
The shooting occurred on an otherwise quiet southside Brunswick neighborhood street at approximately 9:15 AM Thursday. The victims mother, Sherry West, told police two boys tried her rob her as she walked her son in his stroller. She told the boys she didn't have any money. "He says well I'm going to kill your baby, and I said please don't kill my baby! I put my arms over my baby and he shoved me, and then he shot my baby right in the head!" West was also shot in the leg, but survived. Her story quickly launched a city-wide manhunt, involving 12 law enforcement agencies from around the state. The search resulted in dozens of tips that led police to the Elkins home Friday morning.
"The police came rushing in the door and put a taser to him, telling him to get down," said Elkins sister, speaking of his arrest.
She told Action News Elkins pleaded with police, and told them he was his at a nearby school studying for his GED. It's a claim his family hopes proves he's innocent.
"I hate what happened to that baby because nobody deserves to go through that," said Freeman, "but at the same time they're taking someone to jail that is innocent."
Under Georgia law, Demarquis Elkins is considered an adult. Both teens have been charged with first degree murder.
