Public safety summary
A Savannah man arrested in the investigation of a March 20 homicide has not been charged with murder as originally announced, said Savannah-Chatham police spokesman Julian Miller on Monday night. Murder warrants have been sworn against two others, one of whom is now in custody.
Terrell Akeem Nelson, 18, turned himself in to police Monday on murder charges in the shooting death of Achmed Kiwaan Williams on the 1100 block of East 54th Street.
Police continue to seek Germaine Remond Grant, 23, on a murder charge for Williams’ death.
Ashley Maurice Hudson, 31, was arrested on April 10 at the house where the shooting took place on unrelated charges. Police spokesman Julian Miller said Hudson has not been charged in the homicide.
Grant is described as a black male standing 5 feet 7 inches tall who weighs about 120 pounds. Police ask anyone with information on the case or Grant’s location to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line is also open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.
Police investigate double shooting
Savannah-Chatham police violent crimes detectives are sorting out the details of a Sunday night altercation in front of a nightclub on West Bay Street that left two men with gunshot wounds.
Jeremy Kenneth Hardin, 25, who is stationed at Fort Stewart, was taken to Memorial University Medical Center with non-life-threatening wounds when Downtown Precinct patrol officers found him at West Bay and Whitaker streets about 3 a.m., said police spokesman Julian Miller.
Nathaniel Jackson, 24, of an Abercorn Street address on the southside, called police about an hour later from Candler Hospital, where he had sought treatment of a less serious wound.
The shooting was reported at West Bay and Bull streets outside Club Rain when two groups of men became involved in an altercation and shots were fired, Miller said. Authorities said friends helped Hardin flee a block east to Whitaker, where they flagged down officers responding to the shooting.
The investigation into the shootings is continuing. Police ask anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.
Two men charged in domestic dispute
A Savannah man who was shot in a domestic dispute April 23 has been released from a hospital and charged with domestic violence.
Savannah-Chatham police violent crimes detectives determined Adrian Gardner, 41, was shot by Jahkeem Bryant, 19, who had tried to intervene between his mother and Gardner, who were involved in a physical altercation.
Police spokesman Julian Miller said Bryant was pushed away and fired at Gardner, hitting him in the leg.
Bryant was charged with aggravated assault.
Gardner was arrested Sunday as he was released from a hospital, where he was transported for treatment after the shooting at a Stiles Avenue residence where all the participants lived.
3 people displaced, 2 dogs dead after mobile home fire
Three people were displaced and two dogs died in a midmorning fire Monday that destroyed a mobile home near Bloomingdale.
The large mobile home at 206 Old Highway 204 was in flames when firefighters arrived, said Hugh Futrell, Southside Fire/EMS assistant chief of operations.
The mobile home was in a non-hydrant area. Two tankers responded to the fire, and firefighters were able to pump water from a pond near the structure.
A 12-year-old boy sustained minor injuries from smoke inhalation, and his mother sustained radiant heat burns on one of her arms, Futrell said. The mother and child were treated by paramedics and released.
Two dogs that were inside the structure died in the fire, Futrell said.
Futrell said it wasn’t immediately clear how the fire began, but the boy had seen fire coming from behind the washer and dryer.
“It was a really big fire,” he said. “It’s a shame. Those folks lost everything they had.”
Red Cross volunteers also responded to help the two adults and one child who were displaced. All three were provided with food, clothing and medication, said Robin Wingate, executive director of the American Red Cross Southeast Georgia Chapters.
Those displaced are staying with family, but once they find a new place to live, Red Cross will help them with the first month’s rent and deposit, Wingate said.
Woman seriously injured in Monday wreck
A 70-year-old Savannah woman was in serious but stable condition Monday night after her car struck two trees off Abercorn Street in Ardsley Park.
Ruth A. Vanderhorst of an Inglesby Court address was taken to Memorial University Medical Center after the 5 p.m. wreck at Abercorn and East 48th streets.
Vanderhorst was driving a 2011 silver Toyota Corolla northbound on Abercorn Street in the right lane when she drifted to the right side of the street, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
The car struck the bottom portion of an oak tree before crashing head-on into another tree, he said.
Vanderhorst was extricated from her vehicle by Savannah Fire & Emergency Services.
The northbound lanes of Abercorn Street between 48th and 49th streets were closed to traffic for about two hours while the police department’s Major Accident Investigation Team was on scene. Miller said the investigation into the wreck is ongoing.
Reward fund rises in Foley homicide
A cash reward of as much as $12,500 is now available anonymously for information leading to the arrest of Rebecca Foley’s killer. The 21-year-old Savannah State University student was shot to death Jan. 21 at a southside apartment complex.
Foley’s family donated $10,000 to the CrimeStoppers reward fund to be used specifically in the case, said CrimeStoppers spokeswoman Catherine Neal.
Foley was shot to death about 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in a parking lot at Colonial Village at Marsh Cove on White Bluff Road. She had just driven her Volkswagen Beetle back to the apartments when she was shot.
Savannah-Chatham police have yet to release information about suspects or motives in the case, and investigators have asked the public to call with information.
All information provided to CrimeStoppers is anonymous and can be reported 24/7. Tipsters can call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020.
Agencies collect 144 pounds of prescription drugs
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Sunday, along with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, collected 144 pounds of pills and prescription drugs.
The unwanted and expired drugs were taken to the DEA’s Savannah office where they were weighed and will be incinerated, said Cpl. Rhonda Bryant-Elleby, sheriff’s office spokeswoman.
“I am pleased with the great support we have every year for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” Sheriff Al St Lawrence said in a statement. “I look forward to the day we have enough permanent prescription drug drop boxes in place for the community to conduct this vital program without having designated days.”
The sheriff’s office has one permanent drop box in the front lobby of the Chatham County Courthouse, 133 Montgomery St. The drop box is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The sheriff’s office provided this breakdown from each collection:
• SouthCoast Medical Group on Eisenhower Drive: 80 pounds
• O’Reilly Auto Parts on U.S. 17: 16 pounds
• Home Depot on Victory Drive: 18 pounds
• Ace Hardware on Johnny Mercer Boulevard: 30 pounds
Savannah-Chatham police on Saturday collected 125 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs for the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event.
A permanent drop box is open 24/7 in the lobby of police headquarters at 201 Habersham St.
Animal Control vaccinates 1,000+ dogs, cats at clinic
The Savannah-Chatham police department’s Animal Control division vaccinated more than 1,000 dogs and cats Saturday at a vaccination clinic.
Hundreds of people attended the clinic at the Animal Control facility on Sallie Mood Drive and were able to get their pets vaccinated at a reduced cost, said Michelle Gavin, the department’s community relations administrator.
The police department provided this breakdown of the services provided and vaccinations given:
• 577 rabies vaccinations
• 100 heartworm tests
•75 microchips implanted
• 80 dogs received nail trims
• 300 dog combination vaccines
• 200 Bordetella vaccines
• 100 feline combination vaccines
Pound Pups In Need was also on site doing adoptions with extended hours. Three dogs and three cats from the Animal Control shelter were able to find homes, Gavin said, adding that owners were also able to register their pets and purchase licenses.
Animal Control plans to schedule another all-inclusive vaccination clinic this summer.
Poker Run raises nearly $24K
About 275 motorcyclists participated in the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office’s 13th annual Poker Run on Sunday.
The Poker Run raised nearly $24,000 for the Georgia Sheriff’s Association Youth Homes, said Cpl. Rhonda Bryant-Elleby, sheriff’s office spokeswoman. These homes provide longtime, sometimes permanent care to children who have been abandoned, abused or whose parents are unfit to raise them.
The riders began the event at Napa Auto Parts on Eisenhower Drive, then went on a two-hour ride throughout Chatham and Effingham counties and finished at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Training Facility off Ogeechee Road.
So far, the sheriff’s office has raised more than $300,000 for the children living in the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes and provided them with back-to-school items, camping equipment, a summer vacation trip, Christmas gifts and much more, Bryant-Elleby said.
Compiled by Dash Coleman and Marcus E. Howard.
CHATHAM COUNTY BOOKED
To see pictures and details for individuals serving their initial incarceration in Chatham County, as reported by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, go to ChathamCountyBooked.com.