Arrest made in connection with deadly Piedmont Park 404 Day shooting

ATLANTA - A 17-year-old turned himself in on Friday in connection with the deadly shooting at Piedmont Park on 404 Day, according to the Atlanta Police Department (APD). 

What we know:

Kaine Burnette, 17, surrendered to the Fulton County Jail on Friday on charges related to the shooting at Piedmont Park, APD said. 

The teen is being charged with reckless conduct, possession of a pistol under the age of 18, and discharging a weapon near a street. 

The backstory:

The deadly incident happened on April 4 just after 9 p.m. 16-year-old Tianah Robinson was shot and killed in the incident.

Italia Wilson, 15, was shot in the shoulder. Wilson was treated at Grady Memorial Hospital and has since recovered at home with her family. 

Atlanta Police believe that at least four people fired weapons from different spots inside the park. 

While a permitted 404 Day event had taken place earlier, police said the shooting was not connected to that event, which ended at 7:45 p.m. 

Instead, investigators believe the violence broke out during an unpermitted gathering near the far west end of the park.

What they're saying:

The arrest comes months after Robinson's mother publicly pleaded for those responsible to come forward.

"Y'all need to turn y'all selves in. Y'all need to put these guns down," Tunisia Watkins said back in April.

Andrez Reed, who works near the park, is glad the suspect turned himself in.

"That conscience, it eats away at you. I feel like it definitely ate away at him, and I'm glad he turned himself in," Reed said.

He was working at The Nook restaurant when gunfire erupted.

He said customers immediately dropped to the floor after hearing the shots.

"We heard the gunshots. Everybody in the restaurant just hit the ground. We immediately knew what was going on, but we didn't know somebody had succumbed to gun violence. It's just really upsetting."

The Robinson family shared a statement with FOX 5 Atlanta after Burnette's arrest. 

"We want to sincerely thank the Atlanta Police Department for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to this investigation. From the very beginning, they stayed focused, followed every lead, and never gave up. Because of their efforts, an arrest has been made.

We would also like to thank Mayor Andre Dickens for his support and for helping ensure this case remained a priority. We appreciate everyone who played a role in helping move this investigation forward.

While we know an arrest is only the beginning of the legal process, it is an important step toward justice for our Princess Tianah.

We also want to thank our family, friends, the community, and everyone who shared Tianah’s story, prayed for us, and stood beside us. Your support has given us strength when we needed it most.

As this case moves through the court system, we respectfully ask for continued prayers for our family and for everyone to allow the legal process to take its course.

Thank you again to the Atlanta Police Department, Mayor Andre Dickens, and everyone who helped bring us one step closer to justice for Tianah."

- The Robinson Family

What we don't know:

Atlanta Police previously released photos of three persons of interest shortly after the shooting. It's unclear if Burnette was one of those people in the photos. Atlanta Police have not released specific details outlining Burnette's direct role in the gunfire or whether his actions caused Robinson's death.

Authorities said at least four people fired shots at the park the day of the shooting. While one suspect has surrendered, police have not yet identified or arrested the remaining persons of interest shown in previously released surveillance photos.

It remains unclear what specific roles these individuals may have played in the shooting or what the motive for the gunfire was.

While Burnette self-surrendered, police have not announced any other arrests.

What you can do:

Investigators are offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to additional arrests. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Atlanta police or Crime Stoppers.

RELATED STORIES

• One dead in shooting at Piedmont Park on '404 Day'
• Piedmont Park shooting: Witnesses describe chaotic scene
• Police release photos of Piedmont Park shooting persons of interest
• Family of teen killed at Piedmont Park pleads for justice
• Atlanta event policies questioned after fatal Piedmont Park shooting
• Tianah Robinson laid to rest after 404 Day Piedmont Park murder

AtlantaCrime and Public SafetyNews