Eighteen year-old Palmetto resident Brandon Horton was murdered late Wednesday night in Fairburn after he and three friends were attacked by up to nine males. Fairburn Police have warrants on three of the nine suspects.

Police received a call at 10:45 p.m. and responded to Signature Trace, a cul-de-sac off Creekwood Road near Johnson Road. Officers found Horton dead, having been shot in the head with a handgun, according to Det. Charles Israel.

Fairburn Police are not releasing the names of the three suspects being sought nor did they have any immediate comment about the remaining suspects, Israel said.

Israel said Horton and three friends were playing basketball in the cul-de-sac when a vehicle arrived and up to nine males exited. An altercation quickly ensued, with the suspects targeting Horton, Israel said. At one point Horton was struck in the head with the handgun prior to being shot, said Israel. Police did not know why the altercation occurred, he said.

Horton’s three friends received only minor injuries and did not require hospitalization. Two of the friends lived in the immediate neighborhood, Israel said.