Lonta Burress

The family of a 17-year-old boy charged with shooting and killing another teen earlier this month has hired an attorney to represent him today.

Lonta Burress Jr. will have a hearing on July 12 in Hamilton County General Sessions Court. Burress has been charged in connection with the death of Darrius Townsend. Burress is being held on a $1 million bond.

Local private criminal defense attorney Kevin Loper will represent Burress in his upcoming preliminary hearing.