Teenager arrested for murder of young mother in front of her child in Atlanta

ATLANTA — A second arrest has been made after a young mother was shot to death in front of her child in northwest Atlanta in mid-May.

Atlanta police said Cartez Harvey, 18, was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, cruelty to second degree towards children and four counts of association with a crime. criminal street gang and another charge that appears to be related to membership in a criminal street gang.

In the early hours of Saturday, May 18, 21-year-old Nejha Cox was found shot to death on Hollywood Road NW in the Carey Park neighborhood of Atlanta.

On June 4, APD arrested Jamal Baker, 23, in connection with Cox’s death. He is charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and second-degree cruelty to children, police said.

RELATED: Man in custody weeks after mother shot in front of child in northwest Atlanta Saturday identified: police

Officers initially said surveillance video showed people inside another car shooting at the woman who was sitting in the passenger seat. APD later said they were looking for three men who were on foot while she was in the passenger seat.

Police added that her child was also in the car during the shooting and that she believed the shooting was targeted. APD is still reviewing the video and looking for further evidence.

According to Atlanta Police crime map data, the Carey Park neighborhood has been the site of five serious assaults since March of this year.

A resident who did not wish to be identified told 11Alive that after living in the neighborhood for about 10 years, violence is a way of life in the area.

“They kill, shoot, stab a lot. The children are not even safe to play in the street. They barely have a playground because guess what? The adults take over the playground and want to shoot right day,” the resident said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online.