Police release identities of two teens killed in southwest Atlanta shootout

ATLANTA - The Fulton County Medical Examiners Office has released the identities of the two young boys killed in what officials referred to as a shootout over a dispute on social media.

Justin Powell was identified as the 16-year-old victim. Powell's family provided FOX 5 with a photo of him.

"This is the third child his mother is burying," a relative of Justin's said. "How much more is a mother, a family expected to take?"

Malik Grover, identified as 14-year-old victim in Continental Colony Parkway shootout. (Supplied)

Malik Grover, Powell's best friend, was identified as the 14-year-old who was shot and killed that night. 

FOX 5 spoke to Malik's grandmother over the phone. She said the family is heartbroken and this is just too much for them to process. 

TWO TEENS DEAD, MULTIPLE SHOT AT SOUTHWEST ATLANTA APARTMENT COMPLEX

The two boys were the fatal victims of a shooting near an apartment complex on the 3000 block of Continental Colony Parkway in southwest Atlanta Saturday night. Police said they were both found dead at the scene.

Justin Powell, identified as 16-year-old victim in Continental Colony Parkway shootout. (Supplied)

Justin's relatives spoke to FOX 5 anonymously to preserve her safety. She said there had been failed attempts to get the 16-year-old help as he had gotten caught up with the wrong crowd. 

"I would like to see some type of programs for our children, not where someone is saying go throw a basketball," she said. "They need some life skills. They need some coping skills. We need them to learn how to communicate."

That night, the Atlanta Police Department was joined by the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department to investigate the incident.

Besides Justin and Malik, three other youths were injured in the shooting and taken to a local hospital to recover. These victims included an 11-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl.

"This is a group of boys on both sides who don't understand the gravity of when you take someone's loved one, you don't just kill them and they're gone. There are people left behind," Justin's relative said.

Police returned to the scene Sunday night setting up a command unit to make their presence known.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' statement regarding the Continental Colony Parkway shootout. (Credit: Office of Mayor Andre Dickens) (Supplied)

"Gun violence has become the leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States," Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement about the incident posted to Twitter on Sunday.

"While we avoided youth violence over the summer and early fall, these last few weeks have shown all too clearly that Atlanta is not immune from this unacceptable trend.," he added.

Just a month before this tragic incident, two young boys were shot and killed on the 17th Street Bridge near Atlantic Station close to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Dickens was among the first of Atlanta's officials to speak out about the violence ravaging the youth in the city then.

"We need to have an honest conversation about guns because they don't fear them," Justin's relative said. "They do not fear guns and they do not fear death."

She told FOX 5 the whole family will miss his smile, hugs and all the little things.

Police say this investigation is still ongoing and urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers to leave an anonymous tip.