Chatham DA sends stern message following Oglethorpe Mall shooting
Share this @internewscast.com

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The Chatham County district attorney sent a stern message to those responsible for Wednesday’s shooting at Oglethorpe Mall.

The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday at a store’s entrance. Savannah Police reported that three people were shot, and multiple others suffered injuries. No fatalities were reported, but two minors were taken into custody on firearm-related charges. By 1 p.m. on Thursday, there had been no arrests made concerning the actual shooting.

District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones addressed the press on Thursday morning from the steps of the Eugene H. Gadsden Courthouse. She emphasized that the event affects the broader community, spanning beyond just Savannah or Chatham County.

DA Cook Jones described the shooting as “appalling” and a “blatant disregard for the lives of those in the mall.” She assured News 3 of her commitment to bringing those responsible to justice, stating that they would face the full extent of the law.

“We will not allow perpetrators… terrorists to go into our public places, our squares and our malls and instill fear in our residents and expose our public and our children to danger,” DA Cook Jones said. “This will never happen in Savannah again.”

News 3 asked the district attorney if she believes the City of Savannah and Chatham County has a gang problem. Many people on scene Wednesday stated they thought this crime was gang related.

“A wise person once told me that we are more interested in labels than we are with symptoms. Whether you call it gang violence or gun violence in America in general and in this county, we have too many guns in the hands of young people. You can call that what you want to, but that’s how I describe it and that’s how we have to attack it,” DA Cook Jones said. “One of the reasons there is confusion about whether or not there is or is not a gang problem is because we have a lack of data culture that collects evidence and intelligence about what gangs are doing, where they are gathering, and what their next move is.”

She said this case is her highest priority. The district attorney is now asking for the community’s help.

“This was deliberate and coordinated. It impacted our community as a whole. I am here to make a clarion call to our community for community response. What I am saying is that somebody knew that those young people had guns before they came to Oglethorpe Mall. Somebody in this community knew that that was going to happen. Somebody in this community knows the people who are involved, even though they haven’t been publicly identified yet. What I’m saying is that our best chance at prevention is collective collaborative community action,” DA Cook Jones said. “We need to get a grip on our young people before they get a grip on guns.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Geraldo Rivera Calls Menendez Brothers ‘Savage, Murdering Dogs’

One seasoned journalist openly shares his opinion on whether Lyle and Erik…

Bryan Kohberger Voices Concerns Over Inadequate Nutrition in Prison Meals

Bryan Kohberger, who was found guilty of killing four college students in…

Court Prevents Trump from Withholding Funds from 34 Locations with ‘Sanctuary’ Policies

A late Friday ruling by a judge determined that the Trump administration…

Trump Announces Chicago as the Next Target in Crime Reduction Efforts

() President Donald Trump announced that when it comes to his efforts…

Senators Wicker and Fischer Head to Taiwan and Indo-Pacific Region

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker from Mississippi and Deb Fischer began a visit…

Trump Declares Canada’s Intention to Remove Retaliatory Tariffs Complying with USMCA

President Trump mentioned a discussion with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during…

Jerome Powell Hints at Possible Rate Reduction Amid Fragile Job Market Conditions

On Friday, Jerome Powell hinted at the possibility of the central bank…

Trump Announces Comprehensive Tariffs on Imported Furniture

President Trump said Friday he will impose tariffs on imported furniture “within…

FBI: Bank Manager Created Fake Customer Accounts to Embezzle Funds

In Los Angeles, a former bank manager from two local banks has…

ICE Raids Impact Food Banks and Low Distribution Centers

A small distribution site located in a San Diego strip mall, positioned…

Newsom Introduces Campaign Merchandise Similar to MAGA Style

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently hinted at campaign merchandise similar to former…

Infant Emmanuel Haro Feared Dead, Not Abducted

() Baby Emmanuel Haro is believed to be dead and deputies have…