DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — DeKalb County leaders are asking residents to sign a pledge to refrain from firing guns into the air in celebration of the Fourth of July.

The initiative comes months after the death of 4-year-old Marquel Peters, who died on New Year's Eve when a stray bullet came through the roof of his Decatur church and struck him in the head. The boy was sitting next to his mother during a midnight celebration.

Authorities still haven't determined who fired the shot, but believe it was fired by a New Year's Eve reveler.

View Comments

DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis discussed the initiative at a news conference Monday at Peters' church, The Church of God of Prophecy.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.