DeKalb County, January 13, 2026
DeKalb County law enforcement is investigating both a morning shooting near Cedar Grove Middle School and a deadly house fire that resulted in the discovery of a woman’s body. The police are actively assessing the circumstances surrounding these incidents, with additional breakthroughs in ongoing cases adding to the community’s concern regarding safety and crime rates.
DeKalb County
Police Respond to Morning Shooting Near Middle School
DeKalb County law enforcement officials are actively investigating a shooting incident that unfolded this morning within a residential area adjacent to Cedar Grove Middle School. Officers arrived on Clifton Springs Manor, where crime scene tape now marks the boundaries of their work near Clifton Springs Road and Interstate 285. The circumstances that led to the shooting have not yet been publicly confirmed by authorities. The presence of police units suggests a methodical effort to understand the events that transpired and to secure the scene for further forensic review. The full scope of the incident, including any injuries sustained or individuals involved, remains under initial assessment.
Fatal Fire Investigation Underway Following Discovery of Body
In a separate, somber development, police are currently probing a deadly house fire that occurred in DeKalb County, culminating in the discovery of a woman’s body. The incident took place on Glenwood Parkway, in the vicinity of Interstate 285. Firefighters, responding to reports of smoke on a Saturday morning just after 8 a.m., successfully extinguished the blaze at a vacant home. It was during this process that they found the deceased woman. Investigators are working to ascertain both the origin and cause of the fire and to determine why the woman was present within the unoccupied dwelling. Such inquiries often peel back layers of quiet desperation or circumstance that precede these tragic outcomes.
Recent Breakthroughs in Past Investigations
The diligent efforts of DeKalb County law enforcement have also yielded significant progress in several recent and ongoing investigations, bringing a measure of movement to cases that have weighed upon the community.
On January 5, 2026, three individuals were taken into custody following a shooting that left a three-year-old boy in critical condition. The incident, occurring on a Sunday evening in the 300 block of North Stone Mountain Lincoln Road, involved an argument between a group at a nearby gas station. A stray bullet struck a vehicle, critically injuring the young child who was secured in a car seat. Police identified the suspects as Jonathon Tate, 20; Julius Hughes, 21; and a juvenile, who now face charges including aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. This arrest reflects a determined pursuit of accountability for the innocent caught in the crosscurrents of others’ disputes.
Further demonstrating this resolve, an arrest was announced on January 7, 2026, in connection with the deadly shooting of 21-year-old Kinaya Hightower in October 2025. Ms. Hightower, an innocent bystander, was celebrating her 21st birthday with friends at a car meet-up at an Exxon gas station on Moreland Avenue when she was tragically killed amidst an escalating argument that led to gunfire between two groups. Gregory Dennis, 22, has been charged with murder and aggravated assault in her death.
Additional Incidents Under Active Investigation
Beyond these developments, DeKalb County authorities continue to process other serious incidents that underscore the persistent challenges faced by the community.
On January 6, 2026, a 46-year-old man, identified as William Stanley, was fatally shot near Wesley Chapel Road. Officers responded to a report of a shooting a little before 1 p.m. at the 2500 block of East Wesley Chapel Way, where Mr. Stanley was found with a gunshot wound and died at the scene. Investigators are actively pursuing leads in this case.
Earlier, on December 26, 2025, police investigated a double shooting at The Sapphire apartments on Creste Drive, where two individuals sustained moderate injuries. The investigation into what led to this incident and the search for the shooter remain underway.
Community Impact and Ongoing Vigilance
These varied investigations, from tragic fires to violent altercations, paint a picture of a community grappling with the complex realities of human actions and their often-profound consequences. Each police car, each stretch of crime scene tape, each ongoing inquiry represents not merely a statistic, but a disruption to the quiet rhythms of daily life, a call for careful attention, and a quiet hope for justice and understanding. The work of law enforcement, in these moments, is a continuous testament to the belief that every life holds intrinsic worth, and that the order necessary for flourishing requires constant, vigilant care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest major incident being investigated by DeKalb County Police?
DeKalb County law enforcement officials are actively investigating a shooting incident that unfolded this morning, January 13, 2026, within a residential area adjacent to Cedar Grove Middle School.
What happened in the fatal fire investigation?
Police are probing a deadly house fire that occurred on Glenwood Parkway in DeKalb County, culminating in the discovery of a woman’s body inside a vacant home after the fire was extinguished. The incident was reported on January 10, 2026, and updated on January 11, 2026.
Have there been any recent arrests related to past shootings in DeKalb County?
Yes, on January 5, 2026, three individuals were arrested for a shooting that critically injured a three-year-old boy. Additionally, on January 7, 2026, an arrest was made in the October 26, 2025, deadly shooting of Kinaya Hightower.
Who was the victim in the January 6, 2026 homicide in DeKalb County?
The victim in the January 6, 2026, homicide near Wesley Chapel Road has been identified as 46-year-old William Stanley.
What are the charges against the suspects arrested in the 3-year-old shooting case?
The three suspects, Jonathon Tate (20), Julius Hughes (21), and an unnamed juvenile, are charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Key Features of Recent DeKalb County Investigations
| Incident | Date/Status | Key Details | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Shooting Near Middle School | January 13, 2026 | Police responded to a shooting on Clifton Springs Manor near Cedar Grove Middle School. | Active investigation; details unconfirmed. |
| Fatal House Fire | Reported January 10, 2026; updated January 11, 2026 | Woman’s body found inside a vacant home after a fire on Glenwood Parkway. | Active investigation into cause of fire and circumstances of death. |
| Shooting Critically Injuring 3-Year-Old | Incident prior to January 5, 2026; arrests January 5, 2026 | Three suspects arrested for a shooting that wounded a child in a car seat on N Stone Mountain Lincoln Road. | Suspects charged with aggravated assault and firearm possession. |
| October 2025 Car Meet-up Homicide | Incident October 26, 2025; arrest January 7, 2026 | Arrest made in the deadly shooting of Kinaya Hightower (21) at an Exxon gas station on Moreland Avenue. | Suspect charged with murder and aggravated assault. |
| Homicide Near Wesley Chapel Road | January 6, 2026 | William Stanley (46) fatally shot on East Wesley Chapel Way. | Active investigation. |
| Double Shooting at Apartment Complex | December 26, 2025 | Two people sustained moderate injuries at The Sapphire apartments on Creste Drive. | Active investigation. |
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