TOCCOA, Ga. — Four people have been arrested in connection with a Feb. 10 shooting in the parking lot of Stephens County High School during a basketball game, according to Stephens County Sheriff’s Office PIO Rebekah Smith.
The incident occurred while two sporting events were underway on campus, including a varsity basketball game between Stephens County and Hart County High School. As previously reported by Now Georgia, students alerted school officials after hearing multiple gunshots in the student parking lot.
Administrators and school resource officers placed the campus on lockdown for about 30 minutes while deputies secured the scene and determined there was no ongoing threat.
No injuries were reported.
According to Smith, investigators with the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Division determined the shooting was gang-related. Students from Franklin, Stephens and Hart counties were on campus for the game when at least two individuals became involved in a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical fight in the parking lot.
During the altercation, one individual fired approximately nine shots before fleeing in a red Nissan Altima with a passenger, Smith said.
Following multiple interviews and the execution of search warrants, authorities issued arrest warrants for Ja’Nareon Riley, 17, of Lavonia, and Kyairre “Noodle” Thomas, 24, of Royston.
Riley, who investigators allege discharged the firearm, turned himself in at the Stephens County Jail at about 12:30 p.m. Feb. 11. Thomas, identified as the driver of the vehicle, turned himself in later that day at approximately 6:10 p.m. Both are confirmed to be affiliated with the Bloods criminal street gang, according to Smith.
Riley is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, discharging a firearm on school property and two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony. He remains in the Stephens County Jail without bond.
Thomas is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and participation in criminal street gang activity. He also remains in jail without bond.
Investigators later determined there was probable cause to arrest Jalashe Gray, 33, of Lavonia, on allegations she conspired with her son, Riley, to conceal evidence. Gray was arrested Feb. 12 and charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony for hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. She was released the same day on a $20,000 bond, Smith said.
On Feb. 13, Tykerion Brown, 17, of Toccoa, was taken into custody at the high school and charged with obstructing law enforcement officers. He was released on a $1,000 bond. After investigators obtained additional information, Brown was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and participation in criminal street gang activity. He was taken back into custody from the high school at approximately 1:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and remains in jail awaiting a bond hearing before a Stephens County magistrate judge.
Smith said the investigation progressed quickly with assistance from multiple agencies, including the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Lavonia Police Department, Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, Hart County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and Metro Gang Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, the Stephens County District Attorney’s Office and school administrators.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Sheriff Rusty Fulbright and investigators are continuing efforts to address gang-related activity affecting students and families in Stephens County. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Division tip line at 706-886-7048 or submit information through the GBI’s See Something, Send Something app.
