By Joe Johnson
An Athens man has died from injuries he suffered during a weekend drive-by shooting that targeted a house party near the University of Georgia campus.
A suspect who already is in custody for the incident will now have charges against him upgraded to murder, according to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
ACCPD said in a news release that they were informed by the hospital on Thursday that 24-year-old Ja’ Vanni McDavid had succumbed to having been shot in the head.
The suspected shooter, 19-year-old Anthony Quinn Brown, had already been in custody on an aggravated assault charge, which police said will now be upgraded to murder.
Lt. Shaun Barnett, spokesperson for ACCPD, said that the incident was being investigated as a possible gang shooting in which bullets were fired from a car at the house at 135 Northview Drive.
A surveillance camera at the residence took images of gunfire coming from a white sedan, which drove off when a 20-year-old male came out and returned fire with a handgun, according to a police incident report.
At least one neighboring house and a vehicle reportedly were damaged during the shooting.
By the time shooting stopped, more than 40 rounds had been fired, according to police.
The investigation was ongoing, and police asked for anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Detective Paul Johnson at 762-400-7060 or paul.johnson@accgov.com.
More black violent crime, color me surprised
Nah! Duels have ethics and rules, as well as chivalry and honor…where you have to face your opponent face to face on equal terms like a REAL man.
Today’s criminals are low down. Bushwhackers. They think they’re strong, brave men when they shoot their opponent in the back and end up shooting several children playing nearby in the process. You’ll never get people like this to settle their differences with honor. They thrive on dishonoring themselves, their families, their neighborhood and their city,
My deepest condolences to Mr. McDavid's family and friends. I am so saddened to learn of his passing.🩷🙏🕯