Five arrested in connection with deadly shooting of 11-year-old Zander Whatley

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. - Just over 300 days after the shooting death of 11-year-old Zander Whatley in his Douglasville home, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office says all those responsible have been arrested.

Five people were taken into custody for the incident on April 29, 2024.

What we know:

The Paulding County Sheriff's Office, working alongside the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, identified Joseph Tarawalie as a suspect in the case. Tarawalie was located and taken into custody in Arlington, Virginia, on Feb. 13, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals. 

He was extradited to Paulding County on Feb. 22, and is currently being held without bond on a murder charge at the Paulding County Jail.

The backstory:

Authorities had previously charged four other suspects—Nazier Anderson, Al-Hamid Kuyateh, Osman Sesay Jr., and Modou Stephenson—in connection with the fatal shooting.

Zander Whatley (Photo submitted by family)

Whatley's mother, Shareeda Alexander Dorsey, told FOX 5 Atlanta that she, her husband and 9 of their 13 children heard banging on their back door of their home on Water Oak Way in April 2023. That was when someone opened fire.  

The 11-year-old, who was a fifth-grade student at Hutchens Elementary School, was struck by a bullet as he was trying to run upstairs, his mother said.  

Shareeda Alexander, Whatley’s mother, said she remembers hearing pounding on the basement door just before the gunfire erupted. "They came beating at the basement door," she said. "It was literally right beside me."

Whatley was struck by a bullet as he tried to run upstairs. "I couldn’t do nothing but scream and pray and just try to give him my life by giving him CPR," Alexander said.

The fifth grader at Hutchens Elementary School was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. "Loved to smile, never caused any problems, very humble kid," Alexander said.

The family said at the time of the shooting that they believed that the shooter or shooters may have some connection to one of Zander's older siblings.  

A $10,000 reward was being offered for the final person believed to be behind the deadly shooting.

What we don't know:

It is not clear if anyone would receive the reward.

It is not clear if any of those arrested in the case have retained attorneys.

The next court appearance was not immediately known.

What they're saying:

"The Paulding County Sheriff's Office remains committed to ensuring justice for Zander Whatley and his family," the agency said in a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to the family and express our gratitude to the GBI and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force for their invaluable assistance in this case."

"They’re going to answer to what happened last April," said Paulding County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jordan Yuodis.

"Because of their senseless actions, they killed a child," Yuodis said.

Alexander said she is relieved Tarawalie is behind bars but wants justice.

"I forgive them, but I want them to suffer," she said.

What you can do:

Officials urge anyone with additional information about the case to contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 770-443-3047 or send a message through the Paulding Sheriff mobile app.

SEE ALSO:

• Funeral plans, balloon release set for 11-year-old killed in Paulding County shooting
• Vigil held for slain 11-year-old Paulding County boy
• 3 suspects in death of 11-year-old Paulding County boy identified, 2 arrested
• $10K reward for arrest of suspect in 11-year-old Zander Whatley's fatal shooting