The Brief
- Franklin Leonard James Jr., 16, faces felony murder and armed robbery charges for the death of Antonio Thornton Jr.
- Approximately 70 people gathered at Baycreek Park to honor the 17-year-old student before his scheduled May graduation.
- Tyesha Abdullah says she forgives her son’s killer, citing her faith as she navigates the tragic loss.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – A 16-year-old is facing murder charges as a Gwinnett County family mourns the loss of 17-year-old Antonio Thornton Jr., who was shot and killed while visiting family in Savannah in December 2025.
The backstory:
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation recently charged Franklin Leonard James Jr. as an adult in connection with the death.…