Peach Tree Times

Atlanta police have arrested a suspect within less than 24 hours of a shooting in northwest Atlanta that took the life of a 6-month-old boy.

"They worked 24 hours non-stop until they resolved this issue and now a suspect is under arrest," Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said of the Atlanta police.

Police have charged 22-year-old Dequasie Little, and investigators are vowing to track down any other suspects. "I want this to be a message just not to him but to everyone that was involved yesterday that we are very early in the investigation and anyone who thinks they will commit violence in our city we are coming with you with everything we got,"  Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant said.

Bryant credits the public with playing a critical role in helping police nab Little so quickly, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. He said citizens and law enforcement will need to exhibit the same level of commitment if such violence is to be avoided in the future.

"From yesterday, when this happened, until now, until this case is done in a court of law, we are working together hand-in-hand to make sure incidents like this don't occur, and when they do occur people are brought to justice," defense attorney Fani Willis said.

Little was recently released from the Houston County jail after his probation on misdemeanor battery and child cruelty charges was revoked, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

"I'm mad as hell that the incident occurred in the first place and the community can have a hand in this. We've seen too many instances where people don't know how to resolve a conflict," Bryant said.

Kerri Gray, the infant's mother, said the death was senseless and that it happened too quickly, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

"He has a beautiful smile. He had a beautiful heart. He was very smart. He was very funny," Gray said. "And honestly, that's about all I can tell you because that's about as much as I got to learn from him before he was taken from me."