SAVANNAH, Ga. — After the incident at Oglethorpe Mall, Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones voiced her disappointment with the recent comments made by some elected officials.
In a press release on Saturday, DA Cook Jones explained that she had “deliberately instructed” the police chief, prosecutors, and investigators not to release the names and photos of suspects and those arrested to ensure the investigation into the shooting remains uncompromised.
“This marks the second occasion where public statements from officials about this case have been untimely and problematic,” the release states. “When miscommunication and ‘bad messaging’ can be prevented, they should be.”
The release also stated that DA Cook Jones did not speak with Mayor Johnson regarding the case, but in an unanswered message, she offered updates.
“When leaders become more concerned with power and politics over people, citizens suffer,” the release continues. “Gunmen and shooters should never be more coordinated than community leaders.”
