Crime
21-year-old Jaden Lewis charged for the murder of 46-year-old Justin Mourning in Alpharetta
Alpharetta, GA – Alpharetta Police Detectives have arrested 21-year-old Jaden Lewis of Milton, Georgia on charges of Murder and Aggravated Assault.
The arrest comes less than 24 hours after the fatal shooting of Justin Mourning, which occurred in the downtown area of Alpharetta.
On Wednesday evening, September 11, 2024, Alpharetta Police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Highway 9 and Milton Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers discovered one gunshot victim who was transported to a local hospital and later died.
The initial investigation revealed that the incident stemmed from a verbal altercation between two individuals.
The Alpharetta Police Department has released several images of the suspect involved in the recent fatal shooting in the downtown area. The suspect is described as a male riding a motorcycle wearing a black jacket with white patches, black pants, a helmet, and gloves.
In one of the images, the suspect is seen pointing a gun. Police believe the images were captured by a witness’s dashcam.
Following the shooting, police located multiple shell casings and spoke with several witnesses. Investigators believe the incident was the result of an argument between the victim and the motorcycle operator.
“It seems that this shooting escalated from a verbal argument that took place on the roadway,” stated Captain Andrew Splawn of the Alpharetta Police Department.
The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety extends its gratitude to the numerous citizens who provided valuable information that led to the arrest of Jaden Lewis.
DEKALB COUNTY, GA – Authorities have identified the middle school student who was fatally shot during an after-school altercation as 13-year-old Derron Woody.
In a letter to families on Friday, DeKalb Alternative School Principal Terrence Harvey confirmed Woody’s passing and extended condolences to his family and friends.
A crisis intervention team was made available at the school to provide grief counseling for students and staff.
The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the 4800 block of Glenwood Road.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a juvenile male suffering from a gunshot wound. Woody was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
According to police, another middle school student was taken into custody for questioning, but no charges have been filed at this time.
Investigators are working to determine what led to the altercation and how it escalated to gunfire.
Woody’s father believes his son was attempting to flee when he was shot. His family described him as an avid gamer and shared cherished photos from his fifth-grade graduation in 2023.
As they prepare for his funeral, the family has launched a fundraiser to assist with burial expenses.
Those wishing to contribute can do so via their GoFundMe campaign.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact DeKalb police or submit an anonymous tip through the free Tip411 app by texting “DKPD” to 847411, followed by the tip.