DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction of an 18-year-old Stockbridge resident for a fatal shooting that occurred outside a restaurant. Jakari Naki Childs was found guilty by a jury on June 20, 2025, for multiple charges including Malice Murder and Felony Murder related to the incident on July 15, 2023.
The sentencing took place today with DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey K. Hydrick presiding over the trial. Judge Hydrick sentenced Childs to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, plus an additional six years to be served consecutively.
The investigation revealed that officers from the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a shooting report at IHOP on Panola Road in Lithonia just before noon. Upon arrival, they discovered Jacob Johnson, aged 16, with a gunshot wound to his head outside the restaurant's entrance.
An employee who witnessed the incident informed police that her ex-boyfriend, Childs, was responsible for the shooting. At the time of the event, Childs was also 16 years old. The witness stated that Childs arrived unannounced at IHOP looking for her. Johnson, a close friend and coworker of hers at IHOP, alerted her about Childs' presence. All three were schoolmates.
Childs exited the restaurant and other employees noticed he had a handgun. The former girlfriend approached Childs outside asking him to leave when he shot Johnson standing beside her. She then sought help from nearby businesses while Johnson succumbed to his injuries.
Senior Assistant District Attorneys Buffy Thomas and Jordan Riser prosecuted this case within the SB 440 Unit. They received support from District Attorney Investigator Jacqueline Robinson and Victim Advocates Tonesha Bivins and Chloe Elster. Detective V.T. Redrick from DeKalb County Police Department led the initial investigation.