Elementary School Teacher Charged In Gang Murders Of Two Kids

Police have arrested a fifth-grade teacher at a DeKalb County elementary school in connection with the murder of two children during a home invasion in October 2016. Police charged 26-year-old Michael De’Sean White with the murder of 11-year-old Tatiyana Coates and her 15-year-old brother Daveon. Police said the children were innocent victims of gang violence. They allege the White, who was working with other accomplices, broke into the home looking for another child who was not there at the time. 

Clayton County police Maj. Tina Daniel said a sketch of somebody seen at the murder scene was used to help identify White. 

“It kicks you in the gut that someone who’s responsible for our children on a daily basis could possibly be involved with a heinous crime like this,” Daniel said.

Daniel said that police recovered a gun from a gang-related shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee which they believe is related to the shooting deaths of the two children. 

“At this time, we do believe that the gun in Chattanooga was involved, somehow related in the incident. We are still awaiting the final ballistics information,” Daniel said. 

She would not say whether he pulled the trigger or if White was affiliated with any gangs. 

The school district said the White has been removed from the classroom pending the police investigation and that they are cooperating with law enforcement. 

“The district is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies in DeKalb and Clayton counties in a combined investigation,” district officials said in a statement. “Per standard procedure, the employee was removed from his/her position until official results of an investigation are released. DeKalb County School District’s first priority is the safety of our students and staff.”

White began working for the school as a paraprofessional in March 2017 and started teaching fifth grade in August. The school said that White passed two background checks and "nothing indicated this employee may be involved in criminal behavior." 

Photo: Clayton County Police