By Joe Johnson
A third teen was arrested on Monday for an attempted robbery west of downtown Athens four months ago in which the victim was shot.
Zykeria Amiyah Ellis, 18, was charged with being a party to the crimes of criminal attempt at armed robbery and aggravated assault.
In all, seven teens are charged in warrants for the July 18 armed robbery attempt and shooting, and Ellis was the third to be arrested,
According to Athens-Clarke County police, 32-year-old Vincent Dillard said he was walking on North Harris Street at about 3:40 a.m. on July 18 when he encountered two black teens who were accompanied by three females in a vehicle, one of whom the victim knew as “Mercedes.”
Dillard said that during the robbery attempt he struggled and was shot in both legs by one of the two male suspects, according to police.
“Mr. Dillard was set up to be robbed by some females. When Dillard refused to give up his money, he was shot, said Christopher Nichols, commanding officer of the Criminal Investigations Division.
He said that Det. Scott Black on Sept. 21 secured warrants for all seven suspects, including Ellis, Mercedes David, 17, Jalydia Parks, 16, Taniyah Burns, 17, Jadario Hill, 18, Jermores Ridgeway, 17, and Jamarion Wyatt, 16.
Nichols said the detective obtained the warrants after reviewing surveillance camera footage, receiving information from the public, and interviewing the involved parties.
All were charged with criminal attempt at armed robbery and aggravated assault, according to Nichols.
Ridgeway had already been in custody since Sept. 9, when police said he shot 27-year-old Washington Drive resident Keyron Lenor Pass multiple times in the torso and legs at the Nellie B Homes apartment complex.
Hill was taken into custody on Sept. 8.
“Jadario Hill are Jermores Ridgeway are currently in custody at the Clarke County Jail,” Nichols said. “It should be noted that juveniles Jalydia Parks and Jamarion Wyatt have been charged as adults.”