'We have a gang problem': Commissioner calls out city officials in mall shooting
Share this @internewscast.com

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — A Chatham County Commissioner is urging action against what he sees as an ongoing gang violence issue following a shooting at the Oglethorpe Mall.

“Unless we address the problem directly and identify it, we will never find a solution,” stated District 7 Chatham County Commissioner Dean Kicklighter.

The Savannah Police Department is still investigating, and no one has been officially charged.

SPD announced an intent to charge two juveniles in connection to the case on Thursday.

“Savannah, Georgia has a gang problem, regardless of whether yesterday’s terrible incident technically falls under gang violence,” Kicklighter asserted.

Wednesday night, Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther aimed to reassure citizens.

“I want to make it very clear this was not an active shooter. The information we have right now is two groups that appear to be known to each other, and at that time, they started shooting at each other,” he said.

Although, many who were inside the mall at the time of shooting still said they were shaken up the next day.

“It was a scary incident. I just think that with that being said, you’re a little bit traumatized afterwards. Once the adrenaline runs down, it’s like a replay of that,” Alaysia Stokes, who was working inside the mall at the time of shooting said. “You’re thinking about doing your job, but at like what cost? At what point will this be another incident? Your kind of like does anyone else feel like they were protected?”

By Thursday afternoon, Kicklighter had penned a social media post that now has hundreds of comments, likes, and shares.

“Call it what it is. Two groups of people shooting at each other, most definitions would qualify as gangs,” he said. “After listening and watching for years now, blame maybe being possibly shifted in the wrong directions. I felt that I had to use my platform that was given to me by the people when they voted me in to point out what I believe is the problem we have here.”

In response, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said in a statement, “We don’t deal with hearsay from anyone not directly involved in the investigation. Therefore, we will do the responsible thing and wait until the facts are known and call it what it is.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Chatham District Attorney Issues Strong Warning After Shooting at Oglethorpe Mall

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The Chatham County district attorney sent a stern…

4-Year-Old in Texas Left Inside Hot Van Following Field Trip: Report

()A probable cause affidavit obtained by affiliate KVEO revealed new details in…

Dutch Parliament Passes Bill Imposing New Restrictions on Asylum Seekers

THE HAGUE — Two bills aimed at imposing stricter regulations on asylum-seekers…

Nissan Recalls More Than 480,000 Vehicles in U.S. and Canada Due to Engine Failure Risk

Nissan is recalling over 480,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because…

San Francisco Man Arrested for Possessing Large Cache of Illegal Fireworks

(KRON) A man arrested for allegedly driving a stolen U-Haul filled with…

Car Experiences Mechanical Issues, Ends Up in Champaign Detention Pond After Crash

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A vehicle crashed into a detention pond in…

Trump Meets with Recently Released American Hostage, Edan Alexander

WASHINGTON () President Donald Trump welcomed Edan Alexander, an American held hostage…

Republicans Who Opposed Trump’s Major Bill: A Breakdown

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-S.C.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) were the only two…

Sheriff Fears Travis Decker May Not Have Survived During Lengthy Manhunt

() Authorities have acknowledged there’s a “potential” that manhunt subject Travis Decker…

VIDEO: St. Petersburg Habitat for Humanity Site Hit by $3,000+ Theft

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities are on the lookout for an…

Storm Team 3: Scorching and Dry July 4th, Monitoring Weekend Tropical Activity

Thursday afternoon in Savannah, Ga. brought hot and stormy weather, with some…

Trump Faces Lawsuit Over Sharing Medicaid Data with ICE

A coalition of 20 Democrat-led states is suing the Trump administration for…