Relatives say the deaths of Jordan and Antonie Boykin may have involved money or jealousy, while detectives point to a vape sale.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The family of two teenage brothers fatally shot in a Lawrenceville neighborhood is disputing investigators’ description of the killings as stemming from a vape-cartridge transaction, raising new questions as a 19-year-old man faces murder charges.
Jordan Boykin, 17, and his brother Antonie Boykin, 14, were found shot on Heather Stone Way at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to Gwinnett County police. Both died at the scene. Detectives arrested Alexander Canela-Panchi, 19, and said he had met the brothers to sell them vape cartridges before an altercation broke out. Relatives, however, say they do not believe that explanation tells the full story.
The brothers’ mother, Megan Boykin, told WSB-TV that she was away at work when one of her daughters called after hearing gunfire near their home. She returned to the neighborhood and learned that her two sons had been killed. Family members described the brothers as close to each other and active in their neighborhood.
Relatives said Jordan hoped to play football and that Antonie earned money by washing cars and trash cans for neighbors. Their aunt, Genea Harris, said Jordan and Antonie also sold shoes together. The family’s descriptions offer a more personal picture of the teenagers as investigators continue building the criminal case surrounding their deaths.
Harris has challenged the police theory that a vape sale led to the shooting. She said she believes jealousy or money may have been involved and described Canela-Panchi as someone who was supposed to be a friend of Jordan. She also said Jordan had routinely carried cash, a phone and car keys and claimed those items were not with him after the shooting.
Police have not publicly verified the family’s account about the missing property, and authorities have not announced a robbery or theft charge. Investigators have continued to say they believe Canela-Panchi met the brothers to sell vape cartridges and that a confrontation during that transaction preceded the shooting. Police have not publicly explained what they believe caused the altercation.
Canela-Panchi faces two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault, as well as charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession with intent to distribute narcotics. The charges remain allegations and do not establish guilt.
The difference between the family’s account and the police account represents an unresolved part of the investigation. Relatives are offering their own view of why the brothers may have been targeted, while detectives are relying on evidence and information gathered during the homicide inquiry. No publicly released evidence has established the family’s proposed motive, and police have not announced that their theory has changed.
Police initially said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and that there was no known ongoing danger to the public. Detectives have continued working to verify details of the case, including the events that occurred before gunfire erupted on Heather Stone Way.
For the Boykin family, the criminal investigation is unfolding alongside the loss of two brothers killed on the same night. For investigators, the remaining task is to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether evidence supports the account announced after Canela-Panchi’s arrest or leads to additional findings.
Author note: Last updated November 6, 2026.