A 28-year-old man has been shot dead in the crossfire between rival gangs and died in front of his partner and their toddler daughter.

The shooting took place at a Shell station on Covington Highway near the city of Lithonia in DeKalb County in the US state of Georgia at around 6pm on 3rd March.

The DeKalb County Police Department said the following day: “A 14-year-old male has been arrested and charged with Armed Robbery and Felony Murder for the March 3 shooting of an innocent bystander.

“The incident happened at approx. 6pm at a business located on the 6400 blk of Covington Hwy when the suspect was involved in a shooting with a group of men.

“The victim, a 28-year-man who was with his family, was not involved in the shooting.”

The police added: “Thank you to our Homicide/Assault Unit for their outstanding investigative work.”

The police named the victim as John Battle, 28, who was in his car with his partner and their 16-month-old daughter after buying energy drinks at the petrol station when around a dozen gunshots filled the air.

Battle’s mother, name not reported, said: “My son and his girlfriend were bent over in the car, ducking in the car, and I guess my son came up too early and that’s how he got shot in the head.”

The suspected shooter, a 14-year-old minor who was also injured in the gunfight with gang rivals, is currently being treated in hospital. He has been charged with felony murder and armed robbery as the investigation continues.