Smyrna teen murdered after prom in Powder Springs
After-prom party ends with fatal shooting
An after-prom party in Powder Springs ended in gunfire over the weekend. Ashton Hornsby, 17, was shot in the chest and later died. Carlos Diaz, 18, was charged in his murder.
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. - An after-prom party in Powder Springs ended in gunfire over the weekend. Now one Smyrna teen is dead and another is behind bars.
What we know:
Police found 17-year-old Ashton Hornsby shot in the chest in the parking lot of West Cobb Plaza on New Macland Road just after midnight on Sunday.
He was rushed to Cobb WellStar Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Police were able to locate and arrest 18-year-old Carlos Diaz, who was also from Smyrna.
According to an arrest warrant, Diaz told police he believed Hornsby wanted to jump him because of a previous incident. The warrant showed Diaz told investigators Hornsby began to follow him, then pulled up his shirt. Diaz told authorities he did not see a gun, but fired two shots at Hornsby because he is known to carry guns.
Carlos Diaz (Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office)
He was charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.
Hornsby is a former Campbell High School student.
What they're saying:
"Shortly after midnight we heard three consecutive shots," said Sara Ritchey, who lives near New MacLand Road.
Ritchey says a short time later police and other first responders swarmed West Cobb Plaza.
"We saw some detectives putting markers out, so we knew something really, really tragic must have happened," said Ritchey.
The principal of Campbell High School sent a letter to parents saying while the tragedy didn't have anything to do with the school directly, it has affected students.
"This feels personal to us all, and it is shattering when violence touches our community like this. Know you are not alone in feeling both heartbroken and furious," Dr. Vanessa Watkins wrote.
School officials said counselors and members of the district crisis team are available at Campbell High School for students who need help processing this difficult news.
What you can do:
This incident is still under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Powder Springs Police Department at 770-943-1616.
The Source: This information was confirmed by the Powder Springs Police Department.