ATLANTA, GA – Kionta Parks, a 23-year-old from Griffin, has been sentenced to life in prison plus five years for the tragic murder of 11-year-old Asijah Jones. The announcement was made by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie G. Broder, and Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix. Asijah Jones was senselessly shot and killed on March 13, 2023, while asleep in her bed.

Parks received his sentencing on August 5, 2025, after pleading guilty to all counts in the indictment against him. These charges included Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Domestic Terrorism, and Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, among others. Attorney General Chris Carr condemned Parks' actions, stating that he epitomized the individuals his unit is fighting against daily, those who carelessly take lives, destroy families, and terrorize communities without remorse. Carr emphasized the fundamental right of parents and children to feel safe, expressing hope that justice, while unable to erase pain, brings some comfort to Asijah's family.

District Attorney Marie G. Broder remembered Asijah as an innocent and beautiful soul whose life was cut short by gang violence. She extended gratitude to Attorney General Chris Carr and his team, Senior Assistant Attorney General Cara Convery and Assistant Attorney General Ashton Jordan, for their collaborative efforts in securing justice. Sheriff Darrell Dix commented on Parks' guilty plea, highlighting his admission to killing a child with a full life ahead of her, while Parks' own life has been a failure, now to be spent in prison. Dix praised the diligent work of his deputies, criminal investigators, and the District Attorney's office in piecing together the case to bring justice for Asijah and her family.

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The case summary reveals that Kionta Parks is a documented member of Zoo Krew, a criminal street gang linked to the Rollin 20s Neighborhood Bloods. Parks resided inNorthside Hills Apartments (Spalding Heights) in Griffin, a known stronghold for Zoo Krew, and was frequently seen patrolling the area armed with firearms. He was involved in an ongoing conflict with younger gang members. On the evening of March 13, 2023, Parks targeted one of these young members, opening fire on his vehicle as it turned into Spalding Heights, with a three-year-old child also in the car. One of the rifle rounds penetrated a nearby apartment's thin bedroom wall, striking Asijah Jones as she slept beside her nine-year-old sister. Asijah was pronounced dead at the scene due to her injuries. Her mother and brother were also present in the apartment during the shooting.

Investigators found 23 rifle casings and five 9mm casings at the scene, indicating that Parks fired a total of 28 rounds that night. The 9mm casings matched those found at an earlier incident on February 13, 2023, when another younger member of Zoo Krew was shot in the arm at Spalding Heights, though that victim refused to identify his assailant. Parks routinely used violence and threats to create a climate of fear among residents, making them hesitant to cooperate with law enforcement. Surveillance cameras also captured him carrying a rifle and engaging in drug sales within the community.

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The charges to which Parks pleaded guilty include: one count of Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, one count of Domestic Terrorism, two counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which was jointly prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit and the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, with Senior Assistant Attorney General Cara Convery and Assistant Attorney General Ashton Jordan representing the State.

The Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit, established in 2022 with the support of Governor Brian Kemp,is Georgia's first statewide unit of its kind. Since its inception on July 1, 2022, the unit has secured nearly 115 convictions across the state. Headquartered in Atlanta, the unit also has regional satellite prosecutors and investigators in Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Southeast Georgia, with plans for further expansion to Savannah. This unit is part of the Attorney General’s Prosecution Division, which also encompasses units for Human Trafficking, White Collar and Cyber Crime, and Organized Retail Crime.