BELLE GLADE, Fla. — A suspect is in custody in connection with the Friday fatal drive-by shootingof an 8-year-old girl in Belle Glade.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Andrew James Thomas was arrested in Coral Springs early Monday morning.
Investigators said cooperating witnesses helped identify Thomas in the killing of the child, identified as Ron'Ziyah Atkins.
Investigators said Ron'Ziyah wasn't the intended target but was shot at least once while she was playing outside with family members.
With the assistance of Coral Springs police, a search warrant was executed and Thomas was arrested.
Thomas faces charges of first-degree murder with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm.
The suspect was booked into the Broward County Jail with a hold for Palm Beach County.
The sheriff's office said their investigation is still in the preliminary stages.
Family members held a vigil Saturday night in Ron'Ziyah's memory.
Overcome with emotion, the child's mother, Jamekea McGee, reflected Monday on the life of her daughter.
"She was funny. She just was like a baby doll," McGee said. She just wanted to play with the other kids."
She said the arrest is helping her cope with the loss of her daughter.
"I'm happy that they did arrest somebody," McGee said. "I guess it doesn't change the fact of anything, but I guess I'm OK with it."
The child attended Gove Elementary School in Belle Glade. The school district said they are bringing in extra grief counselors all week and a therapy dog to help her classmates with the loss.
The motive for the shooting is still unclear.
The PBSO offered a $25,000 reward for information in the case. Contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.
A GoFund Me account was established to help the family.
