The 16-year-old juvenile who was being held in the shooting death of 19-year-old Quintavien Vanard Johnson has been charged as an adult.
Jermorris Lamonta Russell, 16, is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm while trying to commit crimes and possession of a handgun by person under age 18. He has been booked into the Newton County Jail, and then transferred to a juvenile detention facility in Sandersville, Ga., where he will remain until his 17th birthday (Aug. 31), at which time he will be transferred to the Newton County Jail to await trial.
Russell is accused of shooting and killing Johnson Aug. 9 at the Covington Housing Authority. Deputy’s responded to multiple calls of shots being fired, and when they arrived they reportedly found Johnson lying dead by a dumpster, and a second man with a gunshot wound to the arm. Russell was allegedly standing nearby when deputies arrived, holding a gun – which he dropped, and raised his hands in surrender.
The case is still under investigation by the CPD and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Although it is unclear at this time what might have led to the shooting, officers say there were reports of an argument between the teens.
