STAFF REPORT :::
Two individuals have been arrested in connection to a Friday night shooting in Jackson that took the life of Cederrius Hastings, a 16-year-old Griffin High football player, and left three others wounded.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. May 21, deputies of the Butts County Sheriff’s Office responded to persons shot at a residence on Levi Barnes Road. Upon arrival deputies discovered 4 victims that had been struck. Three of the victims are stable at this time. One of the victims is deceased. All four victims are from Griffin.
Butts County investigators have worked tirelessly since the incident and as of today, May 23, two suspects have been arrested and are being held at the Butts County Jail on charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Suspects are Gemarius “Gee” Oneal, a 19-year-old black male from Griffin, and Christopher “Ray Ray” Walker, a 19-year-old black male from Flovilla.
“As the investigation continues, we expect more arrests to follow. I want to personally thank District Attorney Richard Milam and his staff, Chief James Morgan and the Jackson Police Department, Chief Mike Yates and the Griffin Police Department, Sheriff Wendall Beam and the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office along with the citizens of Butts and Spalding counties for their assistance in the investigation. I commend my deputies and Investigators for their determination in identifying and arresting those responsible,” said Butt’s County Sheriff Gary Long. “My office has received questions about this shooting being gang-related. Our investigation has revealed this shooting was not gang related. This was student athletes from Jackson and Griffin fighting when the shots were fired, unfortunately striking the four victims. I ask everyone to keep the families affected by this senseless act of violence in your thoughts and prayers.”
