GBI and Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Hiram Man in 11 year old’s Murder Investigation

PRESS RELEASE – The GBI has arrested and charged Osman Sesay Jr., age 18, of Hiram, in connection to the death of Zander Whatley, age 11, of Douglasville, GA. On April 29, 2024, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to investigate.

The investigation shows on Monday, April 29, 2024, at about 11:00 p.m., Paulding County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Ruth Way in reference to multiple shots being fired.

Whatley was hit by a bullet and taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead

On May 11, 2024, Sesay was arrested after a traffic stop and is currently being held in North Carolina pending extradition back to Georgia.

This joint investigation is active and ongoing. Police also issued murder warrants for the arrest of Al-Hamid Ibrahim Kuyateh and Nazier Lloyd Anderson for Whatley’s death.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office at 770-443-3047 or the GBI Regional Investigation Office in Calhoun. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to Paulding County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.