By Joe Johnson
Two teens have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting this week of a star Jackson County football player.
According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, Kemare Bryan 18, and Chandler Richardson, 19, both from Lawrenceville are charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies for the killing of 17-year-old Elijah Dewitt, who was a standout senior wide receiver for the Jefferson High School Dragons.
According to police, DeWitt was shot multiple times outside of Dave & Buster’s in the Sugarloaf Mills Mall in Lawrenceville.
“Detectives are still working to investigate the motive behind this incident (and) it appears that the suspects and the victim were familiar with each other and when they encountered each other in the parking lot, an altercation took place and then the shooting,” Gwinnett police said in a Friday morning press release.
Richardson and Bryan are currently in the custody of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office in Anderson, S.C., where, police said, one suspect was arrested Thursday night, and the other on Friday morning.
“At this time, it’s planned that they will be extradited to Gwinnett County on Monday,” police said.
The GCSO Homicide Unit was assisted in making the arrests by the Anderson County Sherriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol.
The investigation remained active, police said, and detectives are exploring all motives.
Police asked for anyone concerning this case, to contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300.
To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.