Teen charged with murder of former Paulding County standout athlete

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. - A 16-year-old has been arrested in the shooting death of former Paulding County standout athlete Thomas Robinson, according to Paulding County Sheriff's Office.

Darnell Isaiah Priester is charged with felony murder, aggravated battery, and multiple counts of aggravated assault, according to authorities.

Robinson, 18, was with a group of friends when he was shot in the chest inside of a home in the Ivory Trace subdivision in Dallas, according to police.

Authorities say Priester was arrested in Douglas County at his mother house around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday and is being held at the Rome Youth Detention Center without bond.

MORE: Warrant issued in shooting death of former Paulding County standout athlete

Police say Priester and Robinson were acquaintances and that the incident stemmed from an on-going rivalry. Investigators are not sure where the teen suspect got the firearm from.

Authorities believe a problem started between two groups during the football game on Friday. Robinson was with one of the groups inside a friends house when the shooting occurred, according to authorities.

A second man was shot in the leg, and has since been released, according to police. Police say a suspect information has not been released and that the suspect is on the run.

Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday at Paulding County High School to remember Robinson. He graduated from the school in 2017.

Loved ones released balloons at the school in remembrance on Robinson. In addition, 21 seconds were placed on the scoreboard during the memorial in honor of Robinson wearing number 21 in high school. Students held up the number 21 during a moment of silence.

"My son was great. He is great and I was robbed," said Robinson's mom, Melinda Lee. "This is the last thing a mom wants to do. You see it over and over and pray to god it's not you."