A second arrest has been made in the murder of Manchester High School football player Brandon Smith, with 17-year-old Qua'vion Jakwon Cooper now facing charges connected to the 2023 shooting. Cooper was taken into custody by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Meriwether County Sheriff's Office, joining A'darious Jashawn Williams, the first suspect who was arrested and charged with murder in January, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
According to the GBI, Smith, a defensive lineman for the Manchester High School football team, was last seen on December 7, 2023, and his untimely death came just before he was supposed to participate in the state championship; investigators suspected foul play when Smith's body was discovered, prompting an intensive investigation, Atlanta News First reports. The GBI says Cooper is believed to have "aided and abetted" Williams in the murder following an argument in Manchester, a finding that has led to Cooper's current incarceration at the Meriwether County Jail.
The community and Manchester High School were left heartbroken by Smith's death, with officials expressing their sorrow in a letter to students and parents. The institution remembered Smith as a "loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field," sentiments sourced from FOX 5 Atlanta.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brandon Smith's death remains open, the GBI invites anyone with information that might be pivotal to the case to reach out to their regional investigative office or submit an anonymous tip, these details are provided in hopes of encouraging witnesses or individuals with knowledge to come forward. Further information on how to contact the GBI is available via the FOX 5 Atlanta report.
