A Decatur teen is in custody following a deadly incident at a Snellville party over the weekend, which left another young man dead. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has detained 17-year-old Keegan Gates and hit him with a slew of charges after he allegedly pulled the trigger during a brawl.
According to a statement from the GBI, Gates is being charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a person under 18. He’s accused of fatally shooting 16-year-old Nasir Davis of Lithonia, GA, after a fight turned fatal on February 17. Authorities believe the victim and suspect were acquaintances before the incident.
The violent altercation occurred at a residence on the 1900 block of Scenic Highway in Snellville, GA, with police finding Davis critically injured. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Davis's injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival. In response to the situation, the Snellville Police Department requested the GBI's expertise to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Gates, the teen in question, is now lodged at the Gwinnett County Jail, awaiting the next steps in the legal process. Meanwhile, the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office is set to conduct an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of Davis's death. The GBI's announcement notes that while they have begun to build a narrative of the evening's deadly events, their investigation is far from over. They are actively seeking further information and encourage anyone with insights to step forward.
With the case remains unfolding, potential witnesses and anyone else with information about the party or the altercation are strongly encouraged to contact either the local Snellville Police or the GBI's Atlanta regional office. Anonymous tips can be relayed through a dedicated phone line, submitted via an online platform, or through a mobile app designed specifically for reporting suspicious or criminal activity. Once the investigation wraps up, the District Attorney's Office in Gwinnett County will take up the prosecution of the case.
