Three Indicted for Murder of Atlanta City Councilwoman's Nephew

Three people have been indicted on murder charges in relation to the June 2013 murder of the nephew of an Atlanta city councilwoman, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

16-year-old Rashad Barber and 20-year-old Ryan Bowdery were indicted on charges of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity and Criminal Damage to Property in the 1st and 2nd degree, the DA’s Office said.

The third defendant, 19-year-old David Dajunta Wallace was indicted on charges of Felony Murder, Criminal Street Gang Activity, weapons offenses, Hindering the Apprehension of a Criminal, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer.

According to prosecutors, Barber, Bowdery, and Wallace killed 18-year-old Darius Bottoms while he was driving his car on Legacy Drive on June 13, 2014. Prosecutors say two gunmen ambushed Bottoms’ car and opened fire, with one shot striking the nephew of Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms in the head, killing him.

Prosecutors believe the defendants thought Bottoms was a rival gang member, and allegedly killed him in a case of mistaken identity.

“A huge debt of gratitude is owed to the Detectives assigned to APD’s Homicide Unit,” Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. said. “Despite the absence of substantial clues at the onset of the investigation, the Detectives did an outstanding job bringing to justice the individuals we believe are responsible for this senseless tragedy involving an innocent young man.”

The defendants will next make an appearance in Fulton County Superior Court to stand trial for the charges they were indicted on Tuesday. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.