Police say Sire Reeves was found with multiple gunshot wounds early Sunday.
ATLANTA, Ga. — A memorial grew Monday outside a southeast Atlanta storefront after a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed behind a nearby strip mall early Sunday.
The victim was identified by youth mentor Joel Carrick as Sire Reeves, a teen he said had spent years helping in community programs. Atlanta police said the homicide investigation remains open, with no public suspect details released.
Police said officers were called around 1:05 a.m. Sunday to a vacant lot behind businesses near Flat Shoals Road and Fayetteville Road SE. They found Reeves suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and gave aid until emergency crews arrived. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and later died.
By Monday, two poster boards filled with messages stood near the scene. Friends and neighbors wrote short tributes, including “Forever Fourteen.” The memorial marked the spot where grief had settled into a shopping area that police were still examining for evidence.
Carrick said Reeves had a bright future and was known for helping others. “He will never be forgotten,” Carrick wrote. He said Reeves was close to many other children in the program and that his death would be deeply felt by those who knew him.
Police have not said whether detectives know why the shooting happened. They also have not said whether Reeves was targeted or caught in violence meant for someone else. Surveillance video from nearby businesses could become a key part of the investigation.
The killing adds to concerns about youth gun violence in Atlanta, where police have investigated several recent shootings involving teenagers. In this case, officials have released few details beyond the location, the time and the teen’s fatal injuries.
As of Monday evening, no arrest had been announced. Detectives remained focused on finding the gunman and piecing together what happened before shots were fired.
Author note: Last updated June 16, 2026.