4th man convicted, sentenced in deadly Athens gang-related, drive-by shooting
A fourth man has been convicted and sentenced to prison in connection with a deadly shooting in Athens' Five Points neighborhood.
Attorney General of Georgia Chris Carr said Jaden Appling, 21, of Athens, was sentenced to 35 years with the first 20 to be served in prison and the remainder on strict probation.
Appling joins Anthony Brown, Glendarius Tate, and X'Zydric Faust in prison, who entered guilty pleas in September 2024.
On March 5, 2023, Ja'Vanni McDavid, 24, and four of his friends left a party.
McDavid was driving and his four friends were passengers in his vehicle.
While McDavid was stopped at a red light, a second vehicle pulled up next to him and multiple gunmen opened fire on the car.
McDavid and his friends returned fire.
Investigators said evidence suggests that McDavid was accidentally shot by one of his friends inside his car.
They also determined that McDavid was an associate of Red Tape Gang and Appling, Brown, Tate, and Faust were members of the Everybody Killa street gang.
Brown, Tate, and Faust received the same sentence as Appling.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
TRENDING STORIES:
Suspect in custody after shooting, killing police officer just 'serving the citizens of Roswell'
Metro police departments offer condolences to 'hero' officer shot, killed in line of duty
4 men show up injured at Grady Hospital following shooting in Southeast Atlanta
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Several pounds of suspected ketamine, THC products seized at Guyton home, sheriff's office says
The Effingham County Sheriff's Office Drug Suppression Unit said they arrested a woman after large amounts of drugs and drug paraphernalia was found in a home in Guyton. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The county's Drug Suppression Unit said they executed a search warrant at a home on Old Lake Road in Guyton on Wednesday after a lengthy investigation. Investigators said they seized more than 4,800 grams of suspected ketamine during the search. Authorities said they also found nearly 50 pounds of THC edibles, nearly 1,000 THC vape products, several ounces of marijuana, 70 grams of suspected Ecstasy, LSD and a gun. The amount of suspected ketamine seized is roughly equivalent to 10 and a half pounds. Authorities said they arrested 46-year-old Christina Swagert at the scene. She faces two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule 1 controlled substance, felony possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Investigators say no additional arrests are expected in this case. TRENDING STORIES: 'Suspect fled the scene': Police say cicada caused rollover crash Man describes 'vicious attack' waiting in line to check out at DeKalb Family Dollar store 10 charged with stealing more than $6M in electronics as part of porch pirate ring [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Officer shoots armed man after he runs from them; Police to provide update
Police are expected to provide an update on Thursday's officer-involved shooting this afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7's Mike Campbell will be at the press conference. He will have the latest updates LIVE on News Center 7 at 5:00. As News Center 7 previously reported, the shooting happened at Miller and Hoover avenues around 1:15 p.m., just feet from the Dayton city limit. Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal said his officers were working 'targeted enforcement' with the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Aviation Unit. TRENDING STORIES: Over 400K driver's license suspensions removed under new Ohio law Longtime local bowling alley gets new owner Israel attacks Iran, kills top military personnel; Tehran retaliates (Live updates), Around 1:00 p.m., officers gathered information about a stolen car, and from the air, state troopers helped lead them to Hoover and Miller avenues. Afzal said that is where a man in a pickup truck was blocking officers' way, and they told him to get out of the way. According to Chief Afzal, the man had a gun. 'At some point, he does get out of the vehicle with what appears to be a handgun in his right hand and runs. The officers engage him at that point, and one of our officers does discharge his handgun,' the chief said. Afzal said the man who was shot is at the hospital in 'stable' condition. We will continue to update this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man found guilty of killing Gwinnett County father at baby shower learns his fate
A Gwinnett County man convicted of killing a father at a baby shower will spend life in prison after a judge sentenced him Friday. Angel Mendoza-Ramirez and his family went to a baby shower two years never expecting it to end with a murder. The family has waited all this time for justice. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'Losing my dad, Angel, has left me a huge painful emptiness. I know I can never feel again,' Hector Cruz Aranda said. A Gwinnett County courtroom overflowed with grief Friday as families faced the reality of a murder conviction. A judge sentenced 28-year-old Esteven Avila-Vega to life with a chance for parole. Mendoza's family asked for life without parole. 'Angel was not just my husband. He was my best friend, my partner in life, a loving father to our children. He was our provider, our protector, the center of my family,' Mendoza's wife Marisol Aranda said. Mendoza died in 2023 when prosecutors say Avila-Vega shot and killed him for taking his gun away during tense moments at the family event. Mendoza's wife and some of his children delivered tearful impact statements, including his 10-year-old who spoke about his father's final words to him. 'On the last day, on the day of the baby shower, I had a game, and the last thing he said to me is, 'I'm so proud of you,'' he said. RELATED STORIES Man found guilty of killing father of 6 at baby shower shooting Shooting at Gwinnett baby shower leaves father of 6 dead Family of man shot 13 times, murdered at baby shower angered his accused killer was granted bond The defense also reminded the judge of Avila-Vega's 10-year-old daughter, asking for mercy. 'I'd ask the court to please take that into consideration, at least allow her dad one day to be able to kiss her on the cheek, or to hug her,' his defense attorney said. In the end, two families are forever changed by one violent night. 'I will forever have a void that will never be filled. The defendant made a choice that he will never be forgiven for,' Mendoza's daughter, Vanessa, said. Avila Vega himself stood up and apologized to Mendoza's family before his sentence. He will be eligible for parole in 35 years when he's in his 60s. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]