Three individuals have been convicted for the murder of a three-year-old killed in Athens in 2024.
Desmontrez Mathis, Jayden Brown, and Dakious Echols have been convicted for the murder of three-year-old Kyron Santino Zarco Smith, who was shot and killed in a drive-by in Athens on March 8, 2024. Smith was watching tv on his couch at Hallmark Mobile Home Park when he sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. A nine-year-old male was also shot and treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
According to a press release from the Attorney General’s Office, Mathis, Brown and Echols, who are all members of a local gang known as Everybody Eats (EBE), drove to Hallmark to target a rival gang in order to maintain and increase their status within EBE. They have each been convicted of every single charge brought against them. Brown and Echols entered guilty pleas on Jan. 8, 2026, and were each sentenced to life in prison. Mathis was found guilty by an Athens-Clarke County Jury on Feb. 4, 2026.
“Criminal street gangs continue to devastate communities and harm innocent victims,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The GBI is dedicated to holding dangerous gang members accountable for their crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eliminate street gangs and keep Georgians safe.”
On Jan. 8, 2026, Jayden Brown and Dakious Echols pleaded guilty to the below charges. Both defendants were sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, plus five years in prison, followed by 20 years of strict probation.
Jayden Brown (aka “Gloxky”), 18, of Athens:
- 1 count of Malice Murder
- 6 counts of Aggravated Assault
- 6 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
- 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
Dakious Echols (aka “Third”), 20, of Athens:
- 1 count of Malice Murder
- 6 counts of Aggravated Assault
- 6 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
- 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
On Feb. 4, 2026, Desmontrez Mathis was found guilty of the below charges.
Desmontrez Mathis (aka “Ten”), 24, of Athens:
- 1 count of Malice Murder
- 6 counts of Aggravated Assault
- 12 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
- 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- 1 count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
Sentencing for Mathis will take place at a later date.
The State’s case against one final defendant, Julian Cubillos, is active and ongoing.
