Latest news with #LennyGunther
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
New arrest made in Oglethorpe Mall Shooting; SPD confirms suspects have "gang affiliations"
Investigation into the July 2 shooting at Oglethorpe Mall has revealed multiple suspects have "known gang affiliations," according to a Savannah Police Department press release Saturday. Those new details came alongside announcement of an arrest of one adult male for illegal firearm possession in connection with the incident. The suspect was arrested Saturday morning, according to the press release. City officials faced questions of gang involvement from news media and residents online after the shooting. SPD Chief Lenny Gunther said during a press gaggle the night of the shooting that "two groups" shot at each other in the mall, but did not at the time say gang affiliations were involved. 'There can be no tolerance for such meaningless violence in our community,' said SPD Police Chief Lenny Gunther in the most recent press release. 'The Savannah Police Department remains committed to ensuring justice is served.' Recent news: Two suspects served with warrants for felony murder, assault in Oglethorpe Mall shooting The investigation has picked up steam over the weekend. SPD announced just after midnight Saturday that two juveniles were served multiple warrants for charges including felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Other warrants served included possession of a handgun by a person under the age of 18, and possession of a firearm during commission of a crime. The Chatham County District Attorney's Office plans to charge both juvenile suspects as adults, Chatham County District Attorney's Office Director of Communications Katherine Wideman said in an email. Other news: One person dead due to heart complications "exacerbated" by Oglethorpe Mall shooting DA response: Chatham District Attorney pledges Oglethorpe Mall shooting will be "highest priority" Both suspects were transported to the Chatham County Detention Center Saturday, SPD Public Information Officer Stephanie Selander confirmed. The suspects were still hospitalized at Memorial Health University Medical Center, where they were transported for treatment after the shooting, at the time warrants were obtained. It was announced Friday morning that the Wednesday shooting turned fatal. Olislene 'Tina' Smith died around midnight, late July 3 or early July 4, to heart complications "exacerbated" by the shooting incident, according to a Savannah Police Department press release. SPD continues to keep the identities of those involved anonymous to "preserve the investigation." Those with information can call CrimeStoppers, 912-234-2020, or submit an anonymous tip through the SPD mobile app. Evan Lasseter is the city of Savannah and Chatham County government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Police confirm "gang affiliations" in Oglethorpe Mall shooting
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Two suspects served with warrants for felony murder, assault in Oglethorpe Mall shooting
The Savannah Police Department has obtained "several warrants," including for felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault, for two suspects in the July 2 Oglethorpe Mall shooting, according to an SPD press release. Those suspects are currently hospitalized at Memorial Health University Medical Center, where they were transported after the shooting. The individuals will be taken into custody and transported to the Chatham County Detention Center upon release from the hospital, the press release said. Other warrants served to the suspects, who are both under 18 years old, include possession of a handgun by a person under the age of 18 and possession of a firearm during commission of a crime. It is expected the suspects will await formal charges from the Chatham County District Attorney upon arrival at the detention center, the press release said. 'The Savannah Police Department intends to hold all those involved in this senseless crime accountable to the fullest extent of the law,' said SPD Chief Lenny Gunther. Recent news: One person dead due to heart complications "exacerbated" by Oglethorpe Mall shooting The arrest warrants mark a major breakthrough in the still ongoing investigation, which began Wednesday evening after the shooting occurred. SPD said names and identities of "those involved" in the shooting will not be released at this time in order to "preserve the investigation," the press release said. Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones said Thursday the case would take "highest priority" once the "baton is passed" to her office from local law enforcement. She also promised to bring the "full weight" of the law on those responsible for the shooting. The first fatality related to the shooting was announced Friday morning. Olislene 'Tina' Smith died around midnight, late July 3 or early July 4 due to heart complications exacerbated by the incident. Smith was one of three individuals transported to Memorial for non-gunshot-wounds related medical complications. Three other individuals were taken to the hospital with gunshot-related wounds. The expected charges come after SPD initially signaled Thursday it would bring underage firearm possession charges on two individuals. Later Thursday, SPD detectives decided not to peruse those charges at that time. Announcement of the warrants came with additional charges, including for felony murder and aggravated assault. With the ongoing investigation, anyone with information can contact CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020, or submit an anonymous tip through the SPD mobile app. Evan Lasseter is the city of Savannah and Chatham County government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Police serve warrants to two suspects in Oglethorpe Mall shooting
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Three Wounded in Mass Shooting at Georgia Mall
On July 2, a mass shooting at Savannah's Oglethorpe Mall left three people — two adults and one minor — with life-threatening gunshot wounds Savannah Police evacuated the mall, and cleared it with a SWAT team; officials confirmed there is no ongoing threat No arrests have been made yet, and the public is urged to submit tipsPolice in Georgia are investigating a mass shooting at at a mall on July 2 which left two men and one minor with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Officers arrived on the scene at Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah around 5:41 p.m. after receiving reports of a shooting and found the three victims, according to a news release from the Savannah Police Department. The shooting victims were transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center for further treatment, Savannah police said in their statement. Another three people were taken to the hospital for non-gunshot related medical complications. Police then evacuated the mall, which was cleared by their SWAT team. They say there's not an active threat at this time. 'Savannah Police responded quickly to this event, and I am proud of our officers' coordinated response,' Lenny Gunther, the Savannah Chief of Police, said in a statement. 'To the citizens of Savannah, know we will work tirelessly to keep our city safe and will be relentless in bringing everyone involved to justice.'Savannah mayor Van Johnson said the shooting was 'not a random act of violence nor was it an active shooter situation' in a statement on Facebook. 'Let me assure our residents and visitors: we will find those responsible, and we will hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law,' Johnson said. The investigation is ongoing, Savannah police said, but no arrests have been made. Police say that anyone with more information about the shooting should call CrimeStoppers, 912-234-2020, or submit an anonymous tip through the SPD mobile app. Read the original article on People
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Savannah shooting: Chilling footage shows people running, taking cover as gunfire erupts at Oglethorpe Mall
Chilling security footage of the shooting at Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah, Georgia, has surfaced on social media. The Savannah Police Department (SPD) told Newsweek that the shooting injured three people, including two young adults and one juvenile, who were shot. The incident took place around 5:45 pm ET on Wednesday, July 2. Construction near the Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah, Georgia, US, on Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Photographer: Parker Puls/Bloomberg)(Bloomberg) The shocking video, shared on X, appears to show panicked people inside a store running and taking cover as gunshots rang out. Here's the footage: What we know so far Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther spoke to the media in the aftermath of the shooting, claiming the crime was not 'random.' "This is not a random shooting. It appears to be two groups shooting at each other,' Gunther said. Meanwhile,SPD told Newsweek, "We have three confirmed victims with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds at this time. One is a juvenile. EMS has transported them to Memorial Health University Medical Center. Mall is evacuated. No active threat at this time. Investigation is ongoing." In a statement, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr referred to the incident as 'devastating.' "The reports out of Savannah are devastating. My office is monitoring the situation closely and we're in touch with local law enforcement. We stand ready to support them with whatever they need,' Carr said. The Chatham Area Transit Authority reportedly suspended all services to and from the Oglethorpe Mall area until further notice because of the shooting. The Savannah Police Department has responded to the shooting, as did firefighters from the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 574. IAFF Savannah Firefighters said in a statement on Facebook, 'Firefighters from the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 574 are responding to the Oglethorpe Mall for a police matter. This is an active and dangerous situation. Avoid the area at all costs. Updates will be provided when available.' The page added in an update, 'Firefighters from IAFF Local 574 we're dispatched to the Oglethorpe Mall at approximately 5:43pm for the report of a shooting. Unfortunately, multiple people have been injured and additional firefighters have been sent to the scene to assist with patient care and preparing victims for transport to the hospital.'
