Antonio Santiago
Infant Murder During Robbery
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Brunswick, Georgia
TIME PERIOD
March 21, 2013
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On March 21, 2013, in Brunswick, Georgia, one-year-old Antonio Santiago was fatally shot during an attempted robbery while he and his mother, Sherry West, were returning home from the post office. The assailants, 15-year-old Dominique Lang and 17-year-old De'Marquise Elkins, confronted West, demanding money at gunpoint. When she failed to comply, Elkins shot her and then killed Santiago with a gunshot to the head. Elkins was convicted of malice murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole, while Lang pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery and received a two-year prison sentence followed by probation. The case garnered significant media attention due to the age of the victim and the brutality of the crime, leading to multiple family members of Elkins being charged for their involvement in covering up the incident.
The murder of Antonio Santiago is believed to have been a result of a botched robbery, with investigators and the public speculating that the assailants, particularly De'Marquise Elkins, were motivated by desperation and a history of violent crime. Some theories suggest that the crime was premeditated, given Elkins' previous attempts at robbery and violence. Additionally, there is speculation about the involvement of family members in aiding the assailants by tampering with evidence and providing false statements to law enforcement.
The Tragic Murder of Antonio Santiago: A True Crime Narrative
A Walk Turned Tragic
On the morning of March 21, 2013, the streets of Brunswick, Georgia, bore witness to a crime so heinous that it captured the attention of the nation and beyond. Sherry West, accompanied by her one-year-old son, Antonio Santiago, was returning home from the post office. The peaceful morning was shattered when two teenagers, 15-year-old Dominique Lang and 17-year-old De'Marquise Elkins, approached them. Elkins, no stranger to violence, had already left a trail of victims in his wake. This time, he demanded money from West at gunpoint.
When West failed to comply, the situation escalated rapidly. Elkins fired two shots from a .22-caliber gun, one grazing West's head and the other penetrating her leg. But the violence did not end there. In a chilling act of brutality, Elkins turned the weapon towards the innocent child in his stroller, shooting Antonio Santiago point-blank between the eyes, ending his young life instantly.
A Community in Shock
The murder of Antonio, an infant who had just celebrated his first birthday six weeks prior, sent shockwaves through the community and the world. The sheer senselessness of the crime, combined with the tender age of its victim, drew widespread media attention. Brunswick, a city that had seen its share of crime, was now at the epicenter of a story that would not soon be forgotten.
The Victims and Their Stories
Antonio Santiago was born on February 7, 2012, to Sherry West and Louis Santiago. Tragically, Antonio was not the first child West had lost to violence. Her eldest son had been stabbed to death in New Jersey in 2008, at the age of 18. Now, grief-stricken once more, West faced the unimaginable loss of another son.
The Perpetrator: De'Marquise Elkins
De'Marquise Elkins was born in 1995 into a life touched by neglect and instability. His defense later argued that his upbringing was marred by his mother's drug addiction, leaving him to fend for himself. Just ten days before the murder of Antonio, Elkins had attempted to rob a pastor, Wilfredo Calix-Flores, at a church in Brunswick. When the pastor had nothing to offer, Elkins shot him, leaving him injured but alive.
A Mother's Harrowing Testimony
As the events of March 21 unfolded, West found herself in a nightmare. Elkins demanded money with a threat that would haunt any parent: "Give me your money or I'm going to kill you and I'm going to shoot your baby and kill your baby." Despite West's desperate pleas, "Don't shoot my baby!" the nightmare turned reality when Elkins fired the fatal shot. Witnesses and first responders rushed to aid the infant, but their efforts were in vain. Antonio was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cover-Up and Arrests
As authorities investigated, they received an anonymous tip leading them to Lang. The teenager cooperated, pointing the finger at Elkins. On March 23, Sherry West identified Elkins from a lineup, sealing his fate. Further investigation revealed that Elkins's mother, Karimah, had disposed of the murder weapon in a marsh, attempting to erase her son's guilt.
The Legal Battle Begins
In the days following the murder, a grand jury indicted Elkins on numerous charges, including malice murder and aggravated assault. Lang faced charges as well, and Elkins's family members were indicted for covering up the crime. The trial that followed in August 2013 was moved to Marietta, Georgia, due to local publicity. Prosecutors painted a vivid picture of Elkins's actions, while the defense attempted to cast doubt by implicating Antonio's parents and questioning West's mental health and motives.
Testimonies and Verdicts
Lang testified against Elkins, describing the chilling countdown before the fatal shot. West also took the stand, recounting the harrowing moment her son was killed. Despite attempts to undermine her credibility, her testimony remained compelling.
On August 30, the jury found Elkins guilty on all counts, including the murder of Santiago and the attempted robbery of Reverend Calix-Flores. Karimah Elkins was found guilty of tampering with evidence. The verdicts brought some closure, but the sentencing would determine the true extent of justice.
Sentences and Appeals
Elkins, spared the death penalty due to his age, received life in prison without parole, plus 125 years for other crimes. His defense argued that such a sentence for a juvenile was cruel, but the court disagreed. Lang, having cooperated, received a plea deal resulting in two years in prison and eight years' probation. Other family members faced sentences for their roles in the cover-up.
Elkins's appeals to the Supreme Court of Georgia contested his fair trial rights and sought a reduction in his sentence. While the court upheld his convictions, they ordered a review of the sentencing process, leaving open the possibility of parole.
A Community's Grief and a Lasting Legacy
The murder of Antonio Santiago became a stark reminder of the senseless violence that can erupt in any community. In the wake of his death, a memorial sprung up at the crime scene, a poignant reminder of a life taken too soon. An anonymous donor honored Antonio's memory with an engraving at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, ensuring that his name would not be forgotten.
Sources
For more information on the case, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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Antonio Santiago Murdered
One-year-old Antonio Santiago is shot and killed during an attempted robbery.
Suspect Identified
Police receive an anonymous tip and track down Dominique Lang, who admits involvement.
Elkins Identified
Sherry West identifies De'Marquise Elkins from a lineup as the shooter.
Indictments Issued
A grand jury indicts Elkins on 11 counts including malice murder; Lang is indicted on 7 counts.
Elkins Found Guilty
De'Marquise Elkins is found guilty of multiple charges including malice murder.
Elkins Sentenced
Elkins is sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Antonio Santiago.
Lang Sentenced
Dominique Lang is sentenced to 2 years in prison plus 8 years probation for attempted armed robbery.
Supreme Court Review
The Georgia Supreme Court orders a review of Elkins's sentencing.
On March 21, 2013, in Brunswick, Georgia, one-year-old Antonio Santiago was fatally shot during an attempted robbery while he and his mother, Sherry West, were returning home from the post office. The assailants, 15-year-old Dominique Lang and 17-year-old De'Marquise Elkins, confronted West, demanding money at gunpoint. When she failed to comply, Elkins shot her and then killed Santiago with a gunshot to the head. Elkins was convicted of malice murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole, while Lang pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery and received a two-year prison sentence followed by probation. The case garnered significant media attention due to the age of the victim and the brutality of the crime, leading to multiple family members of Elkins being charged for their involvement in covering up the incident.
The murder of Antonio Santiago is believed to have been a result of a botched robbery, with investigators and the public speculating that the assailants, particularly De'Marquise Elkins, were motivated by desperation and a history of violent crime. Some theories suggest that the crime was premeditated, given Elkins' previous attempts at robbery and violence. Additionally, there is speculation about the involvement of family members in aiding the assailants by tampering with evidence and providing false statements to law enforcement.
The Tragic Murder of Antonio Santiago: A True Crime Narrative
A Walk Turned Tragic
On the morning of March 21, 2013, the streets of Brunswick, Georgia, bore witness to a crime so heinous that it captured the attention of the nation and beyond. Sherry West, accompanied by her one-year-old son, Antonio Santiago, was returning home from the post office. The peaceful morning was shattered when two teenagers, 15-year-old Dominique Lang and 17-year-old De'Marquise Elkins, approached them. Elkins, no stranger to violence, had already left a trail of victims in his wake. This time, he demanded money from West at gunpoint.
When West failed to comply, the situation escalated rapidly. Elkins fired two shots from a .22-caliber gun, one grazing West's head and the other penetrating her leg. But the violence did not end there. In a chilling act of brutality, Elkins turned the weapon towards the innocent child in his stroller, shooting Antonio Santiago point-blank between the eyes, ending his young life instantly.
A Community in Shock
The murder of Antonio, an infant who had just celebrated his first birthday six weeks prior, sent shockwaves through the community and the world. The sheer senselessness of the crime, combined with the tender age of its victim, drew widespread media attention. Brunswick, a city that had seen its share of crime, was now at the epicenter of a story that would not soon be forgotten.
The Victims and Their Stories
Antonio Santiago was born on February 7, 2012, to Sherry West and Louis Santiago. Tragically, Antonio was not the first child West had lost to violence. Her eldest son had been stabbed to death in New Jersey in 2008, at the age of 18. Now, grief-stricken once more, West faced the unimaginable loss of another son.
The Perpetrator: De'Marquise Elkins
De'Marquise Elkins was born in 1995 into a life touched by neglect and instability. His defense later argued that his upbringing was marred by his mother's drug addiction, leaving him to fend for himself. Just ten days before the murder of Antonio, Elkins had attempted to rob a pastor, Wilfredo Calix-Flores, at a church in Brunswick. When the pastor had nothing to offer, Elkins shot him, leaving him injured but alive.
A Mother's Harrowing Testimony
As the events of March 21 unfolded, West found herself in a nightmare. Elkins demanded money with a threat that would haunt any parent: "Give me your money or I'm going to kill you and I'm going to shoot your baby and kill your baby." Despite West's desperate pleas, "Don't shoot my baby!" the nightmare turned reality when Elkins fired the fatal shot. Witnesses and first responders rushed to aid the infant, but their efforts were in vain. Antonio was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cover-Up and Arrests
As authorities investigated, they received an anonymous tip leading them to Lang. The teenager cooperated, pointing the finger at Elkins. On March 23, Sherry West identified Elkins from a lineup, sealing his fate. Further investigation revealed that Elkins's mother, Karimah, had disposed of the murder weapon in a marsh, attempting to erase her son's guilt.
The Legal Battle Begins
In the days following the murder, a grand jury indicted Elkins on numerous charges, including malice murder and aggravated assault. Lang faced charges as well, and Elkins's family members were indicted for covering up the crime. The trial that followed in August 2013 was moved to Marietta, Georgia, due to local publicity. Prosecutors painted a vivid picture of Elkins's actions, while the defense attempted to cast doubt by implicating Antonio's parents and questioning West's mental health and motives.
Testimonies and Verdicts
Lang testified against Elkins, describing the chilling countdown before the fatal shot. West also took the stand, recounting the harrowing moment her son was killed. Despite attempts to undermine her credibility, her testimony remained compelling.
On August 30, the jury found Elkins guilty on all counts, including the murder of Santiago and the attempted robbery of Reverend Calix-Flores. Karimah Elkins was found guilty of tampering with evidence. The verdicts brought some closure, but the sentencing would determine the true extent of justice.
Sentences and Appeals
Elkins, spared the death penalty due to his age, received life in prison without parole, plus 125 years for other crimes. His defense argued that such a sentence for a juvenile was cruel, but the court disagreed. Lang, having cooperated, received a plea deal resulting in two years in prison and eight years' probation. Other family members faced sentences for their roles in the cover-up.
Elkins's appeals to the Supreme Court of Georgia contested his fair trial rights and sought a reduction in his sentence. While the court upheld his convictions, they ordered a review of the sentencing process, leaving open the possibility of parole.
A Community's Grief and a Lasting Legacy
The murder of Antonio Santiago became a stark reminder of the senseless violence that can erupt in any community. In the wake of his death, a memorial sprung up at the crime scene, a poignant reminder of a life taken too soon. An anonymous donor honored Antonio's memory with an engraving at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, ensuring that his name would not be forgotten.
Sources
For more information on the case, visit the original Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Antonio Santiago Murdered
One-year-old Antonio Santiago is shot and killed during an attempted robbery.
Suspect Identified
Police receive an anonymous tip and track down Dominique Lang, who admits involvement.
Elkins Identified
Sherry West identifies De'Marquise Elkins from a lineup as the shooter.
Indictments Issued
A grand jury indicts Elkins on 11 counts including malice murder; Lang is indicted on 7 counts.
Elkins Found Guilty
De'Marquise Elkins is found guilty of multiple charges including malice murder.
Elkins Sentenced
Elkins is sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Antonio Santiago.
Lang Sentenced
Dominique Lang is sentenced to 2 years in prison plus 8 years probation for attempted armed robbery.
Supreme Court Review
The Georgia Supreme Court orders a review of Elkins's sentencing.