Cameron Coney, known as “Big Cam” to family and friends, a 12-year-old student at Crawford Long Middle School in southeast Atlanta, was fatally shot in the chest Saturday afternoon April 11, 2026 inside his bedroom at his home on Lathrop Street SE while hanging out with a small group of friends.
Atlanta police responded to the residence after a 911 call and found the boy suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a hospital but died of his injuries. The incident occurred in a residential block in southeast Atlanta where the family lived and where Cameron was known for his playful energy and love of football.
Cameron Coney was remembered by his aunt as a goofy, funny kid who made the whole room laugh and was never in trouble. Teachers and family described him as bright, sweet, full of energy, and protective of his siblings even though he was the younger one.
He loved playing football, spending time with his mother and three siblings, and had a curious, adventurous spirit that left a lasting impression on those around him at Crawford Long Middle School. His family noted that he was always joking and bringing joy, a quality that defined his short life in southeast Atlanta.
On the afternoon of April 11 2026 a group of friends came over to Cameron Coney’s home on Lathrop Street SE in southeast Atlanta. One of the friends, a 14-year-old boy, brought a gun into the bedroom where the youths were hanging out and playing around with it.
According to family accounts the 14-year-old pointed the gun at several kids in the room, and when it touched Cameron’s chest the weapon fired. The shooting was accidental in nature according to preliminary reports, though Cameron’s family has expressed deep pain over the circumstances that led to the tragedy in their own home.
Emergency responders rushed to the Lathrop Street SE residence in southeast Atlanta after the 911 call from inside the home and attempted life-saving measures on Cameron Coney. He was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival from the gunshot wound to the chest. Atlanta police confirmed the incident was isolated to the bedroom gathering and that no other people were injured. The 14-year-old who allegedly fired the gun was taken into custody and charged with murder.
The southeast Atlanta community, particularly around Crawford Long Middle School and Thomasville Park, has been left devastated by the loss of Cameron Coney. More than 100 family members and friends gathered Sunday night at Thomasville Park for a candlelight vigil, releasing balloons and sharing stories of the boy they called “Big Cam.” His family started a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses while grief counselors were made available at the middle school where Cameron was a well-liked student.
Atlanta police continue to investigate the April 11 2026 shooting death of Cameron Coney at the home on Lathrop Street SE in southeast Atlanta and have confirmed the 14-year-old suspect remains in custody on murder charges.
Detectives are reviewing the circumstances of the gun play in the bedroom while the case moves forward through the juvenile justice system. Support resources for grief counseling and youth gun safety programs are available for the family and the broader southeast Atlanta community affected by the tragedy.
