By Joe Johnson
A third person has been charged with murder in connection with a drive by shooting earlier this month that targeted a party being held at a house near the University of Georgia campus.
Jaden Makale Appling, 20, of Magnolia Street was arrested Friday night for his alleged involvement in the March 5 shooting on Northview Drive that claimed the life of 24-year-old Ja’ Vanni McDavid.
Police said the shooting had targeted a house where a party was being held. More than 40 rounds reportedly were fired during an exchange of gunfire between a car and people attending the party.
Police said they were investigating the possibility that the shooting was gang related.
“The gang aspect is certainly being investigated,” said Lt. Shaun Barnett. “However, the motive has not been confirmed at this time. As the investigation progresses, any additional charges that are appropriate will be made.”
Previously arrested for murder in connection with the deadly shooting were Glendarius Jamius Tate, 20, of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, and Anthony Quinn Brown, 19, of Magnolia Street.
Appling has a known affiliation with the 1831 Piru street gang.
In August 2020 he was one of three members of the gang who were arrested for beating and robbing a member of the rival Red Tape Gang. He was subsequently indicted on charges of robbery, battery, and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
In a plea agreement, the street gang and robbery charges were dismissed in return for Appling pleading guilty to misdemeanor theft by taking and battery.
He was sentenced to 12 months on probation.
The Northview Drive shooting investigation remains 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.
There is no family structure or religious basics. The moral basics are completely absent and these individuals are totally hopeless.
How quick we are to only blame one part of our great judicial system here in Clarke county truth is yes I believe our DA should be run out of town but the judges are just as much to blame in thease matters they ultimately have the power they are the ones that can say no plea deal and throw the book at them but it's Ben my experience that here in Clarke county if it ain't a DUI or any other charge witch will carry a hefty fine they don't care the man has gang ties and a battery charge both of those dictate that at the least he should of received is a felony on witch his firs…
SO!!!!! Appling plead to a misdemeanor TBT charge from the original gang and robbery charge?! And got 12 months probation?!!
I’m sure he learned his lesson with THAT punishment!!!
Doesn’t the district attorney realize that every violent pimp player street gang violent thug they plead a case down to a misdemeanor and putting him back out on the street will usually result in another death?!
The victim will probably still be alive if the district attorney did their job and threw the book at these creatures!
But then, again, I’m sure the victim had his own gang affiliation
“RAT-A-TAT-TAT,
great at night with my GATT,
on the streets of Athens,
wonderin’ where the playa’s at!”
Idolatry, addiction, sexual promiscuity, lawlessness, laziness. Fix these and you fix the problem.