SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

One person was injured in a Monday afternoon shooting in the parking lot at Beaverbrook Elementary School.
According to Capt. Dwayne Jones, of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, no students or faculty were involved in the incident.
Jones said the SCSO was not originally called to the school, but rather to the Emergency Department of WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital.
No suspects have been identified, and no one is in custody.
Jones was uncertain of the condition of the individual who was shot.
Beaverbrook Elementary School was not placed on lock down and dismissal was carried out as usual.
This is a rapidly developing story and investigators are at the scene. The GRIP will report additional information as it becomes available.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

One woman was seriously wounded Monday afternoon in a shooting incident in the parking lot of Beaverbrook Elementary School. The preliminary investigation suggests this appears to be an accidental shooting.

“We have one person shot – it’s a female,” Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix reported at the scene. “She appears to have three wounds.”

After reporting directly to Dix, one man who was in the car rider line when the shooting occurred spoke to The GRIP.

“I was here to pick up my granddaughter. I heard the shot fired, but I wasn’t sure if it was a gunshot or if someone might have set off fireworks – a firecracker,” said the man who requested not to be identified. “I heard one shot fired. Only one.”

The victim was initially transported by private vehicle to the Emergency Department of WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital.

She has since been airlifted to the Trauma Unit of Atlanta Medical Center.

According to Dix, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the back.

Medical reports indicate she appears to have three wounds, Dix said.

Early reports from Capt. Dwayne Jones cited no suspect was in custody, none had been identified and no one was being sought in the shooting incident.

“The victim is conscious and alert and has spoken with investigators,” Dix later stated. “From her, we have conflicting stories, but nothing we have from her points to anything that isn’t accidental.”

Dix said the investigation suggests a firearm was improperly stored in the vehicle, which resulted in an accidental discharge by a family member.

Investigators will obtain a search warrant for the vehicle in which the victim was transported to the hospital, Dix said.

“The main thing in this – whatever happened – is that it wasn’t directed at students or staff. They were inside doing an awards ceremony,” Dix said. “It was not related to school activities or any functions of the school itself.”

Officials of the Griffin-Spalding County School System were present at Beaverbrook Elementary School monitoring events, and a letter was released to parents.

“We want to make you aware of an incident that occurred this afternoon. The Spalding County Sheriff (sic) Department is investigating an alleged shooting that occurred at Beaverbrook Elementary School. According to the Sheriff’s Department, this incident was unrelated to the school, all students and staff remained safe and there was no interruption to dismissal,” the letter stated. “Beaverbrook Elementary School administrators are cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigation on campus. The safety of students, staff, and parents remain our top priority and we are grateful for the Sheriff’s Department’s immediate response to this matter.”

School will resume at Beaverbrook Elementary School on a normal schedule Tuesday morning.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix has confirmed the Monday afternoon shooting in the Beaverbrook Elementary School parking lot resulted from a weapon being left unsecured in the presence of a child.

Dix on Monday reported the preliminary investigation indicated the shooting was accidental.

Investigators responded to WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital at approximately 2:53 p.m. Monday to a report of a gunshot victim.

The victim, who has been identified as Shameka Blackmon, age 24, reported she had been shot in the school parking lot, officials say.

A female acquaintance, Kenya Sandifer, a minor child and Blackmon’s sister – both of whom are individuals with special needs – were reportedly with the victim at the time of the shooting and when she was driven to the hospital.

Dix reported the incident to officials of the Griffin-Spalding County School System, and Beaverbrook Elementary staff were notified.

SCSO criminal and crime scene investigators responded to the school and hospital.

Dix reported to The GRIP from the scene Monday that multiple conflicting statements had been made by Blackmon.

Dix has now elaborated, saying that Blackmon initially told investigators she had been accidentally shot “by a friend.”

When the group left the school parking lot, Blackmon called family members who met her near Georgia Highway 92 and drove her the remaining way to the hospital, Dix said.

Once at the hospital, it appeared the victim had three separate wounds, but it was later determined that Blackmon had sustained a single gunshot entry wound, and the remaining injuries were exit wounds caused by fragmentation, doctors reported to the SCSO.

Investigators interviewed Blackmon and those with her at the time of the shooting, and video from the school surveillance camera was obtained for review.

Based on those interviews, evidence collected and forensics, Dix said it is believed that Sandifer, who is licensed to carry a firearm, removed it from her person and placed it on the vehicle’s back seat before entering the school for the annual awards ceremony.

Officials say when the ceremony concluded, Sandifer, Blackmon, the sister and minor child returned to the car to leave. Blackmon and Sandifer were standing at the rear passenger side of the vehicle loading a cooler into the car, and the sister and the minor child were on the rear driver’s side of the vehicle.

Dix said it appears the minor child picked up the weapon that had been left unsecured in the back seat of the car and fired the shot that struck Blackmon.

He said the child then dropped the firearm back on the seat, where Sandifer retrieved it and secured it in the hatch area of the car.

According to a press release issued by Dix, they all entered the vehicle, leaving the cooler in the parking lot, and made their way towards the hospital.

When recovered by investigators, the weapon was in a state of malfunction known as a “stove pipe,” with a spent casing hanging partially outside of the chamber. Only one projectile and the casing lodged in the gun were recovered. There were no signs or evidence of more than one gunshot being fired.

Shameka Blackmon was flown by helicopter to Atlanta Regional Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

“A couple of things that I also want to point out – the Griffin Spalding County School System has been criticized by some for not notifying parents when the incident first occurred. In fact, the school system was not aware of the incident until I notified them that we had received the call to go to Spalding Regional and meet with the victim. Once I notified them they immediately went into action,” Dix said. “All students and parents attending the ceremony were in the building when the shot was fired. As soon as it was fired, the victim and those with her left the school to go to the hospital. By the time the Sheriff’s Office received the call, school had already begun dismissal. A call notifying parents went out as soon as the facts were known.”

Dix also addressed rumors circulating regarding the shooting.

“Contrary to what has been stated by some, there was no shooter on the loose in the area, there was no fight in the parking lot that led to the shooting, there was no domestic call that led to the shooting, these are just rumors. At least two other witnesses stepped forward and stated that they did not see the shot fired but heard it while they were in the parking lot. One thought that the sound was a firecracker, the other that it was a vehicle backfiring,” Dix said. “It appears that the shooting was a horrible accident attributable to the weapon not being properly secured around a child. It was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the school, students, or staff. As of now, the criminal portion of the investigation is still ongoing.”

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Spalding County Election Supervisor Marcia Ridley has released the breakdown of votes for Tuesday night’s primary.

Reported below are the vote totals by precinct. Please note that three precincts – numbers 4, 15 and 18 – have been consolidated, thus no data was collected at those previous polling locations.

The data reported here for each of Spalding County’s 18 active precincts includes ballots cast by absentee mail, advance in person, provisional and those cast on primary day.

All vote totals are unofficial. According to Ridley, the Spalding County vote will be certified May 29.

1 – Second Baptist Church
Registered Voters – 2,288
Cards Cast – 145
Turnout – 6.34 percent

2 – Fairmont
Registered Voters – 2,024
Cards Cast – 207
Turnout – 10.23 percent

3 – Senior Center
Registered Voters – 2,687
Cards Cast – 824
Turnout – 30.67 percent

4 – POLL CONSOLIDATED

5 – UGA Campus
Registered Voters – 3,658
Cards Cast – 502
Turnout – 13.72 percent

6 – City Park
Registered Voters – 2,365
Cards Cast – 227
Turnout – 9.6 percent

7 – First Methodist
Registered Voters – 1,586
Cards Cast – 455
Turnout – 28.69 percent

8 – St. John Lutheran Church
Registered Voters – 1,651
Cards Cast – 393
Turnout – 23.8 percent

9 – Union Baptist Church
Registered Voters – 1,791
Cards Cast – 323
Turnout – 18.03 percent

10 – Carver Road Fire Station
Registered Voters – 1,817
Cards Cast – 360
Turnout – 19.81 percent

11 – First Presbyterian Church
Registered Voters – 2,218
Cards Cast – 513
Turnout – 23.13 percent

12 – Liberty Springs Baptist Church
Registered Voters – 2,047
Cards Cast – 378
Turnout – 18.47 percent

13 – County Line Methodist Church
Registered Voters – 2,350
Cards Cast – 412
Turnout – 17.53 percent

14 – Sunnyside Methodist Church
Registered Voters – 1,867
Cards Cast – 271
Turnout – 14.52 percent

15 – POLL CONSOLIDATED

16 – Gary Reid Fire Station
Registered Voters – 4,399
Cards Cast – 696
Turnout – 15.82 percent

17 – Ambucs Park Gym
Registered Voters – 1,922
Cards Cast – 321
Turnout – 16.70 percent

18 – POLL CONSOLIDATED

19 – First Assembly of God Church
Registered Voters – 2,543
Cards Cast – 508
Turnout – 19.98 percent

20 – Roberts Fire Station
Registered Voters – 2,073
Cards Cast – 429
Turnout – 20.69 percent

21 – Eagle’s Landing Baptist Church
Registered Voters – 4,087
Cards Cast – 1,487
Turnout – 36.38 percent

TOTALS –
Registered Voters – 43,373
Absentee by Mail – 170
Advance in Person – 2,945
Provisional – 0
Total – 8,451
Voter Turnout – 19.48 percent

A single vehicle wreck Sunday evening damaged the awning at Ringgold Superette and caused a fire at the gas pump. Photo courtesy of Amanda Morton

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A single vehicle wreck has damaged and caused a fire at Ringgold Superette located on Jackson Road.

According to Capt. Dwayne Jones, of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary reports indicate the wreck does not appear to have damaged the building.

“It appears a vehicle jumped the curb at Ringgold’s Superette and struck the pumps,” Jones said. “The damage appears to be limited to the pump and the awning. The building doesn’t appear to be damaged.”

The driver of the Mercedes does not appear to have sustained extensive injuries in the collision.

“The driver has a laceration to her arm. I don’t know the severity, but it doesn’t appear to be too severe. She is being medically assessed and treated,” Jones said, adding that a SCSO supervisor is en route to the scene.

Personnel of the Spalding County Fire Department also responded to the incident.

“Any time we have an incident that causes damage to the pumps like this, we’re always very concerned,” he said. “Of course, the Fire Department is equipped to make an assessment and determination of what needs to be done there at the scene.”

STAFF REPORT :::

Spalding County Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Polk has been named director of the Spalding County Emergency Management Agency.

According to a press release, Polk’s appointment as deputy was on May 2, approved by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Office of Homeland Security.

In that position, Polk will be responsible for performing technical and specialized functions associated with organizing and coordinating operations, communications, technology support and planning and response aspects of the emergency management program.

He will also be responsible for coordinating the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and other volunteer programs.

Polk will be responsible for planning, organizing and deploying local emergency management activities, coordination of emergency management programs and activities related to response and recovery from natural or man-made disasters or emergencies affecting lives and citizens’ property.

He will also coordinate the continued development and implementation of the Disaster Preparedness Training Program for employees and volunteers.

Polk’s career began in 1988 as a volunteer firefighter. He has been a Spalding County firefighter since 1991.

Since that time, he has worked his way up the ranks. He was appointed as EMA deputy director in 2010 and was promoted to SCFD deputy chief in 2013.

Polk worked closely with retired Spalding County Fire Chief Kenny West in the development and implementation of the Spalding County Emergency Management program and is well-versed in the commitment the director’s position requires.

Polk resides in Griffin with his wife, Mary, and their three children, Coby, Laney and Cade.

For additional information please contact the Spalding County Fire Department at 770.228.2129.

CORRECTION – It has been brought to my attention that the original cutline associated with this article contained an error.
The $5,000 reward being offered IS NOT for information leading to the arrest of Shaun Wright. It is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver who struck and killed Wright in a Feb. 19 hit and run.
The GRIP deeply regrets this error and any confusion it may have caused.
– Sheila Mathews

STAFF REPORT :::

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol-Griffin Post, in a join effort, announce that a $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the hit and run death of Shaun Wright.

“On February 19, 2018 at approximately 7:17pm, units of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and Troopers from Georgia State Patrol Post 1 in Griffin responded to a hit and run accident on Old Atlanta Road, north of Vineyard road. The victim of the accident, Shaun Wright, was sitting on a bicycle near the edge of the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle and killed. Evidence gathered at the scene and in the area, leads us to believe that the vehicle involved was a red in color Mercury, Chrysler, or Dodge minivan. Pieces of the headlight, front end, and paint fragments were recovered and pieced together to lead us to the suspect vehicle,” said Sheriff Darrell Dix. “Fragments of the vehicle were followed and we believe that after striking Mr. Wright, the vehicle continued north on Old Atlanta and crossed the railroad tracks to Kilgore Road at the crossing directly behind the Cronic Dealership. The vehicle should have extensive damage to the passenger side front area and fender.”

According to a press release issued by Dix, evidence indicates the suspect is believed to be a white female.

“In the days following the incident video was recovered from a nearby business that showed a white female driving what at the time was believed to be the suspect vehicle. That vehicle and person have been located and it has been determined it and the female driver were not involved. Weeks later, another video was recovered from another business near Tower Street and Old Atlanta Road that may depict the vehicle involved based on the area and timing involved,” Dix said. “The GBI has analyzed the video and due to video quality, the tag on the vehicle could not be enhanced. The video has been turned over to another source for attempted enhancement. The photos attached to this release depict what we believe to be the vehicle involved.”

Dix said law enforcement officers from his office and the GSP have exhausted every lead available in the case, but so far, to no avail.

“Investigators and Troopers have followed every lead given to us in this case. Many of those leads have been calls about the same vehicles being seen multiple times and they have been checked by us multiple times. These include leads from local social media sales sites, junkyards, and even areas we have been directed to for abandoned vehicles,” he explained. “We have checked business videos in the area; we have sent notifications to body shops not just in Spalding County but in surrounding counties as well. So far, no leads have panned out. We have interviewed every person and followed every lead that has been pointed out to us and we have reached a dead end.”

Dix said he hopes the reward now being offered will help bring resolution to the case and provide answers to the victim’s family.

“In an effort to find closure for Shaun’s family, we are offering a $5000.00 reward for information leading to the location of the vehicle, and the arrest, and conviction of the suspect who took his life. Shaun had a family and they need the closure that will come with the conviction of the person who killed him,” Dix said.

If you have any information, please contact the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office at 770.467.4282 or Trooper Byron Mims at Georgia State Patrol Post 1 in Griffin, 770.412.4063.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The 16th Annual June Jam is right around the corner and has a packed schedule of activities with something for everyone.

Coming Saturday, June 2, the family-friendly event is brought to town by the Griffin Downtown Council and Main Street Program with sponsors including the Griffin Exchange Club, Affairs to Remember, United Bank, the Sellers Law Firm, the University of Georgia-Griffin Campus and WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital.

“We’re very excited for the 16th annual June Jam on June 2. Everyone had such a great time last year (we had to tell people it was time to go home last year around midnight) that we decided to have the headliner band back again,” said Downtown Council Vice-Chair Jessica Gregory. “Party at the Limit Band. Party ATL plays covers from all the generations, ensuring that everyone has a great time. Two local bands will also be featured as the opening acts, Mixed Tribe and The Garrett Collins Project. These guys are amazing and will also be featured in their own concerts in our Summer Concert Series.”
One tremendous highlight is a special partnership that brings to June Jam the largest cornhole tournament in the south.

“The Downtown Council has partnered with The Griffin Exchange Club to combine the June Jam concert with its Cornhole Tournament, which is the largest corn hole tournament in the south. This tournament brings people to Griffin from Alabama, North Carolina, and Kentucky,” Gregory said, adding that the community is the real winner.

“The Exchange Club takes the money raised from this tournament and puts it right back into the community, namely benefiting their chosen charitable organizations – The Christian Women’s Center and local Boy Scouts of America chapters.”

With an attendance of around 2,000, June Jam is Griffin’s biggest free event. The collaborative effort of the city of Griffin, Spalding County, the Downtown Council, the Main Street Program, private citizens and locally-owned businesses is a perfect example of the motto “For the Love of Griffin,” Gregory said.

The 16th Annual June Jam, featuring food, cornhole and live music, will kick off at 6 p.m. June 2, in historic downtown Griffin. June Jam is free to the public.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A drive by shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon at the Easy Shop on Experiment Street is under investigation by the Griffin Police Department.
The GRIP emailed GPD Chief Mike Yates seeking a phone call for confirmation and initial incident information. Yates instead responded by email, stating only, “This is an active ongoing investigation. An incident report will be available tomorrow along with any appropriate news release.”
The GRIP has submitted by email a request for that report and will follow up with additional information as it becomes available.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Two Griffin teens have been charged in connection with the Sunday afternoon shooting incident that occurred in the immediate vicinity of the Easy Shop Supermarket.
Originally dispatched as a drive-by shooting, investigators say they are uncertain the incident meets the criteria to be classified as such.
The GRIP on Wednesday spoke to Sgt. Chris Wilson, acting as the Griffin Police Department assistant public information officer, who elaborated on preliminary investigative findings.
“The actual location was right behind the Easy Shop on Ray Street. The intersection there would have been 14^th and Ray streets. Right behind the Easy Shop, really,” Wilson said in describing the precise location of the incident, later elaborating, “If you’re standing in the doorway, it’s the road right there beside it (the Easy Shop).”
When asked if the two suspects were firing upon each other, Wilson said, “Each of them had a weapon. They were both firing.”
Wilson was asked about a statement attributed to GPD Chief Mike Yates that indicate the gunfire appeared to have originated in the vehicle travelling down Ray Street.
According to the Griffin Daily News, “Yates said police were trying to determine who shot first, the pedestrian or the occupants in the vehicle, and were in the process of locating those involved.”
However, the GDN went on to report that Yates “speculated that the pedestrian had been fired upon and the vehicle’s occupants were, “not expecting him to be armed and return fire.”
Wilson was unable to confirm that information, but he did say he personally had participated in the suspect interviews, and the question of who fired first remains unanswered at this time.
He explained that this is the basis of the incident not being considered a drive-by.
“I don’t really think this would be considered a drive-by, no. The two guys knew each other. They had history between them,” he said. “The reason it’s not considered a drive by is because we aren’t sure who fired first. If the pedestrian fired first, it wouldn’t be a drive-by.”
He said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
“We have two individuals firing weapons. Neither one of them was stuck. Nobody was stuck with each other. During our investigation, we have interviewed both individuals. Now, neither one of them confessed to shooting at each other, but there were shots fired, so, we can confirm that. We can confirm with evidence on the ground, at the scene, that there was indeed gunfire exchanged,” Wilson said, later adding, “There was a person in a vehicle and there was a person on the corner, but it wasn’t technically a drive by. The other part of that is we can’t determine who shot first. That’s what we’ve still got to determine. We’ve got a shooter here and we’ve got a shooter here.”
Arrested in connection to this incident were 18-year-old Timothy Watkins, who was charged with a single misdemeanor count of reckless conduct, and an unidentified 15-year-old who was charged with reckless conduct and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which is a felony. The 15-year-old is being charged as a juvenile.
Wilson said gang charges are pending on each suspect, and that additional charges are possible.
Steve Blanks, the owner of the Easy Shop Supermarket, reached out to The GRIP, concerned by reports that the incident occurred at the Easy Shop.
“Some customer has put this on there (Facebook) as a drive-by at Easy Shop. This was a shooting between two people behind the business and a stray bullet made it up the street and busted out a window,” Blanks said. “Thanks to them, it’s looking like someone drove by and shot at our business, but this is a gunfight between a vehicle and a person on foot. Apparently, the person on foot was shooting at the vehicle and a ricochet went through the van window, not a drive by on Easy Shop.”
Wilson confirmed an Easy Shop customer’s vehicle parked in the business’ parking lot had been struck by gunfire. Two windows were shot out.
“I was in LaGrange when it happened,” Blanks said, later supporting his ‘gunfight’ description by saying, “The video evidence supported that.”
Blanks said he is concerned with reports of the incident occurring at his business.
“I just wanted to try and clear (it) up. It don’t look good, anyhow, all the frigging people shooting behind and a shot making it up the street, but it looks a heck of a lot better than somebody pulling off a drive-by on Easy Shop Supermarket,” Blanks said. “I think we are listed in the report as damage to property, but the shooting was down the road. There’s a car in movement up the road, so obviously the shooting was coming this way.”

Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates – Photo courtesy of the city of Griffin

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

In response to unequal restrictions and demands invoked against The GRIP by Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates, Publisher Sheila Mathews met with Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith in an effort to reach a resolution that would facilitate an impartial professional relationship.

The basis of this meeting was the structure of Griffin’s government. As the city manager, Smith is the administrative head of the municipality’s government. In day-to-day operations, Smith is the sole city official in authority over Yates, as well as all other department heads.

“The city manager shall be the administrative and fiscal head of the city’s government and shall devote his or her entire time and attention to the office…..commissioners shall deal with all officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the manager solely through the manager, and neither the commission nor its individual members shall give orders or directions to any such officer or employee, either publicly or privately, other than the city manager,” section 3.2(b) of the city of Griffin Code of Ordinances reads in part.

During the meeting, Mathews presented email correspondence detailing the manner in which Yates has singled out The GRIP, which has resulted in a greatly restricted flow of information.

According to Yates’ statements, The GRIP is constrained to such an extent that information can only be obtained from Yates, and all questions to him must be submitted in writing, and all responses will be provided in kind.

Smith confirmed that there is no citywide media policy, but that each department has its own policy about operations.

When asked if individual department heads are authorized to determine their own media policies, Smith responded and specified, “In some cases. In operations that are specific to their department.”

Mathews then inquired if that includes determining which media they will work with and which they will not.

“I don’t have all their specific policies in front of me, but I mean, we should be working with all the media. There’s no stipulation over what media we work with and what media we don’t work with,” he said.

“Well that’s the issue, the situation in which I find myself,” Mathews responded, later adding, “If you say, ‘We should be working with all media,’ that certainly isn’t the case.”
When asked if he could suggest any further steps The GRIP may take to facilitate an improved professional relationship, Smith said, “I don’t. You know, I kind of feel like I’m kind of in the middle of a pissing contest here between you and Chief Yates, and I don’t know that it’s fair to put me in the middle of that because I don’t know the details of either side. I don’t know why the Chief is skeptical to give you a verbal interview. I don’t know any of those details, so I’m kind of caught in the middle of this.”

He then added, “What I do want is to have open communications with all media outlets as it relates to specific incidents that occur.”

However, he then said, “This Boynton thing, I think, has kind of been a dead horse that we keep beating on. That’s the GBI’s case, the D.A.’s case and the P.D.’s case, and I think going back and forth between all those entities sometimes causes some confusion, so I can see where, in that particular case, if the Chief is requesting to put answers to questions in writing, maybe copying all the agencies so everybody hears what everybody is saying, but when it comes to incidents that just occur, you know, when the PIO is giving out information on general incidents that occur, there’s no reason for you to not have the same access everybody else does.”

Mathews then clarified that it was not her intention to put Smith “in the middle of a pissing contest.”

“I don’t want to put you in the middle. I would be more than happy to sit down and have this conversation with the Chief if I were allowed an opportunity to do so. Because, as you can see, he refuses that, I have no option but to go, and you are his supervisor, so I have no other recourse but to come to you. Literally, there is no other recourse for me,” Mathews said. “So, I’m certainly not trying to put you in the middle of a pissing contest. I don’t want to be involved in a pissing contest. I’m trying to resolve a pissing contest that I didn’t begin. So, that’s my perspective. That’s my purpose.”

This meeting concluded with Smith confirming he would be in touch with Mathews after consulting with Yates.

After a week passed with no further communication, Mathews filed a formal complaint against GPD Chief Mike Yates alleging his edicts are in violation of numerous segments of his agency’s Public Information/Media Relations Standard Operating Procedure.

Specific details of that complaint and the forthcoming Internal Affairs investigation will be reported upon its conclusion.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has expanded its Hawk drone program.

According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, the Hawk program began with equipment that came at no cost to Spalding County taxpayers.

“We obtained our first drone free of charge from one of our jail vendors as a part of their contract with us. It came equipped with both a regular camera and forward looking infrared camera (FLIR). The original Hawk was piloted by program coordinator Investigator Eraste Trahan,” Dix said.

Trahan said the Hawk program immediately proved to be a useful investigative tool.

“Since the first day it was fielded the Hawk has been a valuable tool. We have located missing persons, stolen property, suspects that have fled from us, and photographed and video recorded crime scenes and accident scenes. With the FLIR capability we can use the Hawk day or night. It was the FLIR camera that led to us finding an elderly Alzheimer’s patient that had been missing from his home for more than 24 hours,” Trahan said. “When we found him, he was tangled up in brush and thorns in a clear-cut area near his residence. Where he was at and the way he was tangled up made it impossible to find him on foot. When it got dark, we activated the FLIR, located him, and got him medical attention. That alone made the program worthwhile.”

Dix said the successful use of this drone was the basis of evaluating the potential expansion of the Hawk program.

“With the proven successes of the first ‘Hawk’ we decided to look in to obtaining additional units and expanding the program. Knowing that our helicopter is indefinitely out of service, we felt that having some type of air support, especially for search and rescue, was vital to our mission and the safety of the community. We looked at the use of drones, attended demonstrations, and consulted with other agencies that have drone programs,” he said. “After examining our options and looking at cost effectiveness, it seemed like a good fit for the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. Using seized drug funds, we purchased two additional Hawks and assigned one to each set of sister shifts in the Uniform Patrol Division. The cost of the two additional Hawks complete with FLIR cameras was less than the one-year operational cost incurred for fuel and maintenance for our helicopter, so the cost to benefit ratio is unquestionable.”

By providing training to multiple personnel, Dix said each SCSO shift is equipped to fully utilize the drone technology.

“Each shift has deputies designated and trained as the main pilot and a back-up pilot. By distributing them to the shifts we will have the capability of having a Hawk available to us at nearly all times that can be rapidly deployed,” Dix said. “We are making the use of our Hawks available to other local agencies such as Griffin P.D., Georgia State Patrol, Spalding and Griffin Fire Departments, EMS, and any agency around us that calls for our assistance.”

STAFF REPORT :::

The Griffin Judicial Circuit may soon be adding a fifth Superior Court judge.

According to a press release issued by Judge Christopher Edwards, the circuit’s senior Superior Court judge, the four current judges have a case load adequate to apply for a fifth judgeship.

“A caseload study conducted by the state shows that the four judges of the circuit are doing the work of 5.6 judges,” the release stated. “The circuit’s legislators are being requested to introduce a bill to add a fifth judgeship.”

In his release, Edwards requested “the public, our legislators and county commissioner support this historic opportunity to keep pace with the caseload.”

The Judicial Council of Georgia will on Aug. 8, consider approving the fifth judgeship.

If approved, local legislators may create the fifth judgeship in its 2019 legislative session, and that judge could begin work Jan. 1, 2020.

The Griffin Judicial Circuit is comprised of Spalding, Pike, Upson and Fayette counties.

STAFF REPORT :::

A several months-long investigation conducted by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in multiple arrests associated with numerous incidents allegedly involving counterfeit checks.

According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, Investigator Ray Hightower obtained information from a financial institution indicating several counterfeit checks had been cashed in Spalding County.

Over the course of the investigation, seven individuals were identified as alleged participants in cashing the counterfeit checks.

Chimaria Dennis was identified by investigators as the person supplying the counterfeit checks. Dennis is currently on probation for forgery and identity fraud.

Hightower, in partnership with investigators from the Georgia Department of Community Services (DCS) coordinated a search of Dennis’ Quincy Avenue residence.

Officials say that search resulted in the discovery of what is described as a large quantity of documents, credit cards, IDs and other items that lead investigators to suspect a potential large network involving identity theft and counterfeiting was operating in the Spalding County area.

Charged in connection to this case were:

Chimeria Dennis, who is charged with 17 counts of counterfeiting. She is being held without bond in the Spalding County Jail.

Kristian Williams, who is charged with four counts of counterfeiting. She was released on a $10,000 bond.

Bobby Walton, who is charged with one count of counterfeiting and is being held without bond.

Tatiana Greene, who is charged with two counts of counterfeiting and was released on a $12,700 bond.

Green also faces an additional charge of counterfeiting brought by Investigator Todd Howard, of the Griffin Police Department.

Quinta Davis, who is charged with one count of counterfeiting. She was released on a $6,000 bond.

Joi Loney and Demetrius Coggins were also charged in this case.

Loney is facing seven counts of counterfeiting and Coggins has been charged with one count of counterfeiting. They are currently at large.

“We have received many complaints regarding counterfeit checks being passed in Spalding County. We will continue to work with DCS agents in charging those responsible,” said Sheriff Darrell Dix. “Due to the extensive amount of evidence, we have contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Department of Revenue.”

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Investigator Hightower at 770.467.4282 or rhightower@spaldingcounty.com

ANNA TAYLOR – SCTC :::

In the moments leading up to Southern Crescent Technical College’s (SCTC) Spring graduation ceremony, over 200 graduates lined up to prepare for one of the greatest accomplishments of their life. Walking through, the graduates look the same for the most part, wearing the traditional black cap and gown with a 2018 tassel in the yellow, green and blue colors of SCTC.

The only thing differentiating students from one another are the different color cords and stoles draped over some of the graduates’ necks, each representing an accomplishment or affiliation during the student’s time at SCTC. Some wear gold medallions or gold cords to signify them as honor graduates, others wear white and purple cords representing their affiliation with the National Technical Honor Society, and countless others wear a myriad of different color cords to represent their specific club or organization.

But in the mix of all the colors, four students stand out from the others. They wear one of the most coveted colors of cords – turquoise – which represents that these students are receiving their degree or diploma before they have even graduated from high school. These four students, Jacob Bohler, Zachary Bowman, and Halani Broderick, and Tyler Gibson are Dual Enrollment students.

“To be honest, it all seemed to happen really fast,” Broderick said. “One minute I’m taking my first college class and the next minute, I’m walking across the stage with my Associate Degree in Industrial Systems Technology before I even graduated from high school.”

Broderick, a Locust Grove High School student, said that he originally chose to enroll in Southern Crescent Technical College’s Dual Enrollment classes to get a jump start on his college education and to follow in his older brother’s footsteps.

“It just seemed like the logical thing to do. I had watched my older brother take classes through the Dual Enrollment program and realized what an advantage it gave him, so I wanted to do it as well. It just makes sense,” Broderick said. Broderick plans to begin his career in the field of Industrial Systems now that he has received both his high school and post-secondary degrees.

“This is the reason we do what we do, helping our dual enrollment students jump-start their careers while in high school,” High school Coordinator Drew Todd said about these Dual Enrollment students. “We are so proud of all of our 1,002 dual enrollment students, but especially proud of these four students who have gone the extra mile to earn their diploma or degree while obtaining their high school diploma. Hopefully other high school students will take notice and realize that they can do this too.”

The Dual Enrollment program allows high school students to take academic degree level core courses that will transfer to any TCSG or USG college or university, occupational courses, and diploma level core courses. Some students may choose to enroll fully into a degree, diploma or technical certificate of credit program, or they may choose to just take a few courses. All college coursework taken through Dual enrollment will be fully covered through state of Georgia funding, and students will not be required to pay out of pocket for tuition, college fees, or textbooks.

After receiving his high school diploma from Jackson High School on May 25, two weeks after he received his Diploma in Diesel Equipment Technology, Zack Bowman is also eager to begin pursuing his career in his chosen field. In fact, Zack already has an interview scheduled with a local company where he hopes to be able to show off his skills and begin a long and rewarding career.

After accomplishing this feat, Bowman hopes to encourage others to take the same path he did through Dual Enrollment. “I can say that becoming a Dual Enrollment student is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I mean, I was able to attend college for free while I was still in high school.” he said. “As long as someone puts their heart, mind and hard work into something, they can accomplish anything.”

For additional information about the Dual Enrollment program at Southern Crescent Technical College, contact Drew Todd at (770) 229-3065 or recruiter@sctech.edu.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Timothy Watkins, one of the individuals allegedly involved in the June 3 shooting incident on Ray Street in the vicinity of the Easy Shop supermarket has been charged with aggravated assault.

Investigator Adam Trammell, of the Griffin Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, now also alleges this aggravated assault involved Watkins firing multiple shots at a juvenile pedestrian while Watkins was inside a motor vehicle.

Initially, 18-year-old Watkins was charged with reckless conduct. An unidentified 15-year-old was also charged as a juvenile with reckless conduct and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates, Watkins and the juvenile suspect are believed to be gang members.

GPD Sgt. Chris Wilson has stated the two suspects “had history between them.”
The GRIP will report more on this developing story in the coming weeks.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Griffin-Spalding County Land Bank Authority Board of Directors has named Virginia Shapard Church as interim executive director.

The move to replace John Joiner, who had held that position since the Land Bank Authority’s inception, came during a Monday afternoon special called meeting.
Church assumed the mantle of leadership effective immediately, and will initially serve for six months.

“We’re going to start out with it full-time. This is a six-month appointment through the end of the year, and then we will see towards the end of the year if it needs to be full-time, if it needs to be part-time, if I want to continue and if the board members want to continue with me,” she said. “They may at that point do a public request for resumes – the whole job process. We’ll just have to see when we get there. All I know is that for six months, I’ve got to get in here, see what’s going on and make sure everything is on the right track.”

She has not yet had an opportunity to evaluate the current status of the LBA, but will soon begin that process.

“I haven’t even had a chance to look at any of the records yet. John was going to be getting them to Newton’s law office,” Church said. “I know there are some issues that Mr. (Newton) Galloway told me he wants me to make a priority. He gave me a priority list in the meeting today and the first is the audit they’ve been asking for and trying to get for, I think the past six months, so there are some things that weren’t happening the way board members wanted.”

Church said she believes in the LBA’s purpose and believes she is well-suited to lead it moving forward.

“It’s three things. It utilizes two skills that I have. One is administrative and the other is legal. They found with John at the helm that it was very helpful to have a lawyer in the executive director’s position who could handle some of the simple foreclosures and simple legal matters like that rather than having to hire that out,” she said. “The third reason is because the Land Bank Authority is a wonderful mechanism to be able to revitalize our neighborhoods. It’s a way to get substandard properties and properties that have fallen into disrepair back on the tax rolls in better shape so that the neighborhoods look better and they’re providing a better tax base for the city and the county.”

The Land Bank Authority has faced criticism in recent years from some in the community, which Church said she is preparing to address.

“I think it’s going to take some interface with the community. I think when the Land Bank first started and it was being run primarily with NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) funds during the Great Recession, that people understood its function and it was doing what the things it was supposed to be. I think in the last few years, it’s turned into properties owned by the Land Bank not being properly maintained, and people who live around those properties getting upset that those properties are not being maintained properly, so that’s another of those first priorities Newton gave me – to figure out what’s going on with the maintenance of these properties and make sure they’re being maintained properly,” she explained.

Asked what motivates her to serve in this capacity, Church spoke of her love for the Griffin-Spalding County community and her family legacy.

“I am fourth generation Griffin-Spalding County resident. I love this community. I’ve been here almost my whole life. I went off to college and lived in Atlanta for a little while, but I came back home and I’m raising my children here. I’m passionate about this community. This is a way I feel I can impact in a positive way and I’m excited about this opportunity,” she said. “Being able to use skills that I have altogether in one spot. I’ve used my administrative skills when I worked for the city and county, and I used my legal skills when I practiced law. Now I get to pull all that together in a way that will be helpful to my community, to my home. I think more than anything, it’s a part of how I was raised. My parents both have contributed to this county for years – to this state. My mother was a state senator. She was the first woman elected to the Georgia State Senate of her own power. My father has been a contributing member of society. He is still in the Rotary Club with perfect attendance. He ran a local business that employed hundreds of people. My grandfather did. This is just what my family does – figure out how best to use your skills to help the people around you.”

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

One person was shot and killed late Wednesday night, July 4, in an officer involved shooting.

The incident occurred on Bonnie Ridge Drive and involved personnel of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.

The GRIP contacted SCSO Capt. Dwayne Jones, who initially reported the Sheriff’s Office had requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation respond to the scene.

“The scene is secure and the GBI is en route,” Jones said.

The Sheriff’s Office later released a statement confirming one person had been killed.

“Spalding County deputies and the GBI are on the scene of an officer involved shooting on Bonnie Ridge Drive,” the statement confirmed.

Officials say a suspect fired on deputies, and the suspect was struck by return fire and killed.

“No deputies were injured in the exchange of gunfire,” the Sheriff’s Office statement reported.

The GRIP will continue to follow this developing situation and report additional information as it becomes available.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the person killed in a Wednesday night officer involved shooting as 35-year-old Ryan Force.

According to a press release issued by GBI Public Information Office Director Nelly Miles, the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday night requested the agency investigate the shooting.

Miles reports preliminary information indicates SCSO deputies responded to an alleged domestic incident at approximately 8:30 p.m. 1928 Bonnie Ridge Drive.

Authorities say deputies located Force, who was allegedly in front of the residence damaging property and attempted to de-escalate the situation.

The deputies reported Force confronted them with a shotgun. During the encounter, a deputy discharged his weapon, striking Force.

Force died from his injuries at the scene.

No deputies were injured in the incident.

The independent GBI investigation is ongoing. Once it has been completed, it will be turned over to the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

STAFF REPORT :::

One person was badly injured at approximately 7:45 p.m. Thursday evening aggravated assault on Alice Street, in the area behind McIntosh BP and Spalding Liquor.

According to a press release issued by the Griffin Police Department, the victims wounds were described as “severe.”

The victim, described as “uncooperative,” with the investigation, was transported to the trauma unit of Atlanta Medical Center for treatment.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact Sgt. Kelly McKinney at 770.229.6450 extension 548.