Isaiah Amari Curtis North, 18 of Rome, was arrested this week after reports said he shot a 6 year-old child who was playing on the playground at Banty Jones Park.
Reports said that North fired the gun multiple times in an attempt to inflict bodily harm to associates of the 4TK street gang. Police stated that the stray bullets proceeded to strike the 6 year-old in the leg.
Reports went on to say that North was acting from a position with his role with the Bloods street gang.
Authorities added that North is also accused of another shooting that occurred on June 29th. Police said that North fired a handgun in the direction of several suspects in the area of 1941 Shorter Avenue.
North is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, drive by shooting, unlawful participation in street gang activity, unlawful acts to gain entry into a street gang. possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Following the shooting, Rome Police investigators identified three suspects believed to be involved. Tydarius Arthur McClure, 17, was arrested in April on charges related to the incident. The remaining juvenile suspect, Qordarius McClure, age 16, was killed in an unrelated shooting in Atlanta on July 4. As a result of North’s arrest, all three individuals identified during the Rome Police Department’s investigation have now been accounted for.”This arrest is the result of months of dedicated investigative work by our Criminal Investigations Division and the continued cooperation of our law enforcement partners,” said Chief Denise Downer-McKinney. “Our detectives remained committed to this case from the day the child was injured, and today’s arrest reflects that commitment to seeking justice for the victim, the victim’s family, and our community.”The Rome Police Department extends its appreciation to the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office and Clayton County Police for their assistance in locating and apprehending North, as well as to the many agencies and community members whose cooperation contributed to this investigation.Although all identified suspects have now been accounted for, the investigation remains open as detectives continue to process evidence and prepare the case for prosecution. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Rome Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (706) 238-5111.
