A manhunt is underway for a murder suspect mistakenly released from jail in Fulton County. Zion River Shaka, 30, was freed after a clerical error following a court hearing in Clayton County, authorities confirmed.
According to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Shaka has been behind bars in their facility since 2020 and was transferred to the Clayton County Sheriff's Office for a hearing on Jan. 22. He was supposed to be returned back to Fulton County post-hearing, instead, he was released into the public, as per WSB-TV.
Shaka's history includes a raft of charges from 2014 in Clayton County such as simple battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and marijuana possession. Details of the murder case for which Shaka was initially arrested in Fulton County, however, have not been disclosed. A spokesperson for the Fulton County Sheriff's Office told WSB-TV about the ongoing search for the fugitive.
This is not the first such incident in Clayton County. In November 2023, another murder suspect, Kaiser Ulrick Suggs, was erroneously released after his charges were dropped in Clayton County despite facing charges in Fulton County. Suggs surrendered himself to the authorities following his accidental release, and the two employees responsible were put on administrative leave, "Atlanta News First" reported.
Fulton County deputies are urging the public to come forward with any information regarding Shaka's location. The department has not commented on any disciplinary action for the mistake leading to Shaka's release.
