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Written by: E. George
Published January 9, 2025 @ 12:05 PM ET
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – After more than three years of uncertainty, police say a new development in the case of 14-year-old Landon Andrews, who was tragically shot in the torso and killed at a house party in Woodstock, Georgia, in October 2021 has led to an arrest.
Landon Andrews, a freshman at Kell High School, was attending a party near Lake Allatoona when a shooting broke out. He was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the back of an SUV, rushed to the hospital, and later succumbed to his injuries.
For years, the investigation seemed stalled, with no clear suspects and no cooperation from partygoers who were present during the chaotic moments leading to the teen’s death. However, new evidence has surfaced recently, pointing to Jaden Simmons, a 22-year-old man from Mableton, as the key suspect.
Investigators say they received new information in recent weeks that helped identify Simmons, who had previously been known to law enforcement as another victim in the shooting. Simmons was reportedly injured in the incident, with gunshot wounds to his hand and elbow.
Simmons has now been arrested and faces a host of serious charges, including murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, cruelty to children, and involvement in gang activities. He is currently being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center without bond.
The arrest followed a renewed push by law enforcement in 2023. In October of that year, the sheriff’s office released a video from the party in hopes of gathering new leads.
The footage, which captured the chaotic moments during the shooting, showed partygoers fleeing in panic as gunshots echoed through the night. The sheriff’s office did not specify which new information led to Simmons’ identification.
For Landon Andrews’ mother, the arrest has brought mixed emotions. In an earlier interview, Schafer spoke of the heartbreaking final moments she shared with her son in the hospital, recalling how she held his hand and whispered apologies for what had happened. “He didn’t deserve this,” she said, remembering her son as a bright and energetic teenager who made friends everywhere he went.
Landon’s family has since turned their grief into action by establishing a foundation in his memory, aiming to offer scholarships and support to other families in need. Although the pain of losing her son will never disappear, Schafer finds solace in knowing that Landon’s legacy continues to help others. “He would have been preparing to graduate in 2024,” she reflected, holding on to the memory of her son’s bright future that was cut tragically short.