Arrest warrant issued in Tootie Roberts' killing

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office has taken out warrants on an 18-year-old man accused of killing 14-year-old Ta'shuntis "Tootie" Roberts in Sunday night's gang-related drive-by shooting.

A judge signed an arrest warrant for Terrance Hampton just after 6 p.m. Friday, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Gang investigators searched his home at 4011 Shearwater Drive and found sufficient evidence for issuing the warrant, according to the release.

Hampton is charged with murder and aggravated assault, according to the release.

An investigation by the sheriff's Gang Unit and Violent Crimes Unit discovered that Roberts' house was targeted in an act of retaliation for a previous shooting. It is believed that Hampton was holding one of Ta'Shuntis' brothers and his close friends responsible for a previous act of violence, according to the release. The brother was not named by authorities.

Hampton reported his house was shot at the day before Tootie was killed, according to the release. Investigators are looking into the case.

Anyone with information about Hampton's whereabouts is asked to call 751-7500 and tell dispatchers where he is, the release said. Officials are also asking for Hampton to turn himself in.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 10:00 PM with the headline "Arrest warrant issued in Tootie Roberts' killing ."