Family remembers Gwinnett brothers shot, killed during vape sale
Lawrenceville vape sale leads to double homicide
A 19-year-old suspect faces murder charges in Gwinnett County after police reported a planned sale of vape cartridges ended in the fatal shooting of two teenage brothers on Heatherstone Way in Lawrenceville.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – The family of two teenagers gunned down in Lawrenceville is remembering the two brothers who were shot and killed on Wednesday during a vape sale turned wrong.
Tragic Lawrenceville shooting scene
What we know:
The shooting happened on the 3000 block of Heather Stone Way around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Gwinnett County police reported that the suspect told them he met 14-year-old Antoine Boykin and 17-year-old Jordan Boykin to sell them vape cartridges.
Both brothers died at the scene. Officers arrested 19-year-old Alexander Canela-Panchi and charged him with murder.
Family remembers teen victims
The backstory:
Both victims attended Collins Hill High School. Antoine, a freshman, played basketball and helped around his neighborhood.
Jordan, a high school senior and straight-A student was planning to attend college.
Boykin family seeks justice
What they’re saying:
The past couple of days have been agonizing for the victims’ mother’ mother, Meagan Boykin. “I’m hurt. I’m in disbelief, Boykin said. “The worst of my life.”
“My daughter called me and said she heard gunshots on the side and she was scared,” Boykin said. “I’m lost for words.” She said Antoine was “a sweetheart. He was jokester. He was always trying to make somebody laugh and have a good time.” Jordan was “a good kid, straight-A student. He was getting ready to graduate early.”
The teens’ aunt, Genea Harris, remembered her nephews as loving community members. “I couldn’t believe it,” Harris said. “I felt like my soul was ripped out of my chest, honestly. They were funny, kind, helpful.” Antoine “was doing basketball. He was just so helpful around the community. Every day gets heavier. We’re just holding each other together.”
Unanswered questions in murder probe
What we don’t know:
Investigators have not released details regarding what caused the transaction to escalate into deadly gunfire.
Community assistance and investigation
What you can do:
The Boykin family wants the police investigation to uncover every detail surrounding the killings. Relatives set up a GoFundMe page to assist the family: Fundraiser by Teaja Ellebb : Forever 14 & 17: Honoring Jordan & Antoine Boykin
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Gwinnett County police statements detailing the arrest and suspect claims, as well as on-the-record interviews conducted by FOX 5 Atlanta outside the Gwinnett County Jail with the victims’ mother, Meagan Boykin, and aunt, Genea Harris.
