The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has carried out the arrest of a sixth individual in connection with a fatal shooting at an Elbert County homecoming after-party last month. This latest arrest was made on Wednesday, when agents, accompanied by FBI agents and DeKalb police, executed a search warrant at a residence in DeKalb County. The suspect, 19-year-old Christopher Bell of South Carolina, faces multiple charges including murder and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
The incident, which has left the community grappling with tragedy, occurred in Elberton, where Elbert County High School students had gathered to celebrate their homecoming. The GBI states that a total of five individuals were shot, one of whom was a 15-year-old student who did not survive. In what has quickly turned to be a multi-agency investigation, authorities are yet to publicly disclose a motive for the shooting. Nonetheless, they are urging anyone with any information to not hesitantly come forward and provide their knowledge to officials.
Photographs from the scene on the day of Bell's arrest show authorities swarming the property, with a noticeable armored vehicle stationed in the driveway. Post-arrest, Bell was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, with plans for extradition to Elbert County forthcoming. The somber news of Bry'shun Jordan's passing, the 15-year-old victim, was earlier addressed by Elberton Mayor Daniel Graves, who in a statement obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, remarked, “It is proof of what we already knew, but don’t want to have to accept: Our community is not immune from the terrible, senseless and tragic events of our times.”
Throughout the investigation, five other suspects, all hailing from Anderson, South Carolina, have also been taken into custody. Each faces charges of murder and several counts related to assaults and the violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. As the GBI continues to thoroughly investigate, they have made it clear they are relying on the cooperation from the public to fully undeniably bring the case to a just conclusion. The evidence gathered will be forwarded to the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for prosecution.
