Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said that while the legal outcome cannot restore Kyron’s life, it represents a necessary step in achieving justice for his family and underscores a continued commitment to combating the gang violence that plagues Georgia communities.
“While nothing can bring Kyron back, we hope this outcome provides his family with some sense of peace and the justice they deserve,” said General Chris Carr. “This was a senseless shooting that should have never occurred, and it’s exactly why we cannot let up in the fight against gang activity. Our children deserve better, Georgia families deserve better, and the people of Athens deserve better, and we will keep fighting for them every day.”
According to a press release by Carr, Desmontrez Mathis, Jayden Brown, and Dakious Echols have been convicted for the March 2024 murder of three-year-old Kyron Santino Zarco Smith. The incident occurred during a drive-by shooting at an Athens mobile home park. These individuals, identified as members of the “Everybody Eats” gang, targeted the location to strike rivals and elevate their criminal standing. This resulted in the death of the toddler and the wounding of a nine-year-old boy. Following a comprehensive investigation by local, state, and federal agencies, the Gang Prosecution Unit successfully secured convictions on all counts, including murder, aggravated assault, and gang act violations.
Brown and Echols received life sentences with the possibility of parole after entering guilty pleas in early January 2026. Mathis faced a jury trial and reached a guilty verdict on February 4, 2026; however, his specific sentencing remains pending. Legal proceedings continue against a fourth defendant, Julian Cubillos.
“This heartbreaking case reminds us of the devastating impact gang violence has on innocent families and entire communities,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.
Carr was appointed as Georgia’s attorney general by then-Governor Nathan Deal in 2016 and was re-elected in November 2022. Since taking office, he has focused on addressing issues such as human trafficking, gang activity, and opioid misuse. This includes establishing the state’s first Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Gang Prosecution Unit. Carr previously served as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development under Governor Deal from November 2013 to November 2016.
