Athens-Clarke County police this weekend charged seven members of rival street gangs in connection with the killing of an innocent bystander during a shootout two months ago. None of the suspects were directly linked to the death of 23-year-old Breana Blackwell.
The reward for information leading to the arrest of Blackwell’s killer on Monday was increased to $10,000.
Five of the suspects were arrested early Sunday during a joint operation by the Athens-Clarke County police Criminal Investigations and Special Operations division and Strategic Response Team, and agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
“Detectives have demonstrated considerable patience and thoroughness as they have worked this homicide case and investigated the gang element that is embedded,” Police Chief Scott Freeman said. “The decision to pursue charges for violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act demonstrates our commitment that we are serious about addressing gangs here, and we are not simply turning our heads to criminal gang activity.”
Two of the suspects were already in jail from previous arrests when served with warrants Sunday.
The suspects were identified by police as Tre Almonte Foster, 22, of Martin Court; Gregory O’Neal Wade, 23, of Rolling Ridge Drive; Daveon Antwon Cooper, 22, of Fourth Street; and Rodarius Travell Favors, 23, of Bailey Street; Tyson Detrell Jackson, 19, of Lombardy Drive; Cedric Vonterries Ballard, 24, of Comer; and David Alexander White, 24, of Creekwood Drive.
All seven suspects were charged with violating the state’s anti-gang act.
Foster and Favors were each charged with fighting in public; Wade, Cooper, White, Ballard and Jackson were each charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and Wade was additionally charged with two counts of theft by receiving stolen property. Wade was in the possession of stolen handguns when arrested, police said.
“Detectives have been very thorough with this case and have kept a keen focus on getting things right, as is expected,” Freeman said. “We are not going to rush to judgements here just to get arrests for the sake of arresting people. That is not how we police here in Athens-Clarke County. But we do have an obligation to get those that commitment such acts of violence off our streets.”
Blackwell’s death was the second fatality in a deadly feud between two warring street gangs, NBA and 2 Tuff, according to police.
The woman was sitting in her car at Hawthorne Extension and Brooklyn Road on Nov. 28 when gang members began shooting at each other. No gang members were injured in the shooting, police said, though Blackwell was killed by a wayward bullet and another bystander who was standing in the street was wounded by the gunfire.
Police said the incident began with a fist fight involving Foster and Favors but escalated into gunfire when members of their respective gangs began shooting at each other.
In response to Blackwell’s death, the police department formed a Gang Task Force that over the past two months worked with other elements of the department and other agencies to investigate the homicide and lock up dozens of gang members on unrelated charges.
“We have a lot of evidence that is still being processed by the GBI, and we are still awaiting on the results of that evidence to come back,” Freeman said. “ Once we have the reports from the evidence back, that new knowledge may lead to additional charges and more arrests in the case.”
Crime Stoppers already was offering a reward of up to $1,000, and on Monday Freeman said he authorized the use of money seized from drug dealers to increase that amount to $10,000.
“There is undoubtedly someone out there that knows who murdered this young women, and I am asking that person to come forward,” the police chief said.
Anyone with information is asked by police to call Det. Lee Walker at (706) 613-3888, ext. 292 or Lt. Mike Tyndell at (706) 613-3888, ext. 372. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Crime Stoppers confidential tip line at (706) 613-3342.
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