Georgia father arrested in 7-year-old son's death after leaving boy in car with brother

A 7-year-old boy has been killed in a shooting at a central Georgia gas station and his father has been arrested in connection with the death.

Dante Daugherty, 42, was arrested on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of child cruelty in connection to the Monday night shooting at a Texaco gas station in the city of Lithonia, about 20 miles east of Atlanta, the DeKalb County Police Department said.

Prosecutors had not formally charged Daugherty by Wednesday afternoon and it was unclear whether he has an attorney.

The Dekalb County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim to USA TODAY as Zayre Daugherty.

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A single shot fired inside a car

Police spokeswoman Officer Elise Wells said Wednesday that officers responded to the scene at 6:30 p.m. for a report of a person shot and found the boy dead.

Daugherty had left Zayre and his 6-year-old brother in the car, along with a loaded gun, according to an arrest warrant obtained by Fox 5. Wells confirmed that Daugherty was not in the car when the gun went off.

Surveillance video obtained by the station shows Daugherty pulling up to the gas station and the boys briefly getting out of the car before getting back in as their dad walked into the store. Shortly after, the youngest boy is seen running from the car.

As a result of the investigation, Wells said, Daugherty was arrested and booked into the DeKalb County Jail.

Police declined to provide additional information about the shooting.

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Boy identified by coroner

Zayre's official cause and manner of death are pending, a medical examiner's office spokesperson said Wednesday.

A Dekalb County clerk said the case was in the hands of the local district attorney's office on Wednesday and prosecutors will determine whether to formally charge the father.

The district attorney's office could not immediately be reached for comment.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior correspondent for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @nataliealund.