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January 1, 2010

Deadly shootings mark 2009

Jessica Luton

As the community rolls into 2010, a look back at 2009 shines a light on a violent year of crime in Milledgeville and Baldwin County.

In 2008, there were no murders reported in either the city or the county, but 2009 proved to be a different story, as five deadly shootings occurred in the area.

The year got off to a rocky start in January, as 19-year-old Tarneshia Jones was killed by her boyfriend Darian Napier, who then turned the shotgun on himself at her Highview Road home.

Less than a month later on Feb. 4, 31-year-old Broderick Kinnon Horne was found dead at the duplex of his estranged wife on Brantley Way.

Another 31-year-old man who was visiting the victim’s estranged wife was taken into custody at the scene of the incident, but was not charged in the incident, as the evidence proved that he committed the act in self-defense.

In July, 51-year-old Dilipbhai “Danny” Patel was killed in an attempted armed robbery and shooting at Lina’s Food Store on Irwinton Road. The case remains unsolved.

In August, 20-year-old Gabriel Hayes was killed in the front yard of a home in Carrington Woods during a house party. Lebarion Megel Palmer, 22, of a Brookwood Road address was later charged in connection to the incident and has been indicted on charges of murder, felony murder and voluntary manslaughter.

A few months later, in November, 39-year-old Tommy Griswold of 941 N. Wayne St. was shot and killed just outside of the American Legion during a birthday party at the location. Jarvis Antwan Thomas of 280 E. Charlton St. was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Milledgeville Police Department Deputy Chief Richard Malone said that many of 2009’s shootings can be attributed to domestic violence and the poor economic conditions, but he was quick to note that many of the shootings cannot be pinpointed to just one issue or cause.

“Shootings are hard to really speculate on because there are so many elements that it can be connected to,” he said. “There are just so many factors with those types of incidents.”

Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee acknowledged that 2009 was marked by a high number of violent crimes.

“During 2009, we’ve had several shootings and some violent crimes and we’ve had a very busy year,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2010, Massee is not optimistic in a reduction of violent crimes and other crimes that have seen an increase this year.

“We’ve had a very active year and to be honest, with everything going on in the world and the economy, we expect 2010 to also be a very busy year in the sheriff’s office,” he said. “We’re looking at a lot of unemployment and we just haven’t seen a big upturn in the economy and I think everybody, including the county, has had a hard time financially. I think we’ll be looking at a very active year in 2010.”

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