Tag Archives: WSBTV

US

6 arrested after violent protesters cause mayhem, set APD car on fire in downtown Atlanta – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

ATLANTA — A peaceful protest in downtown Atlanta turned violent Saturday evening when protesters set a police car on fire and started smashing windows.

Six protesters were arrested, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum announced in a news conference on Saturday night. Those people have not been identified and their charges have not been released.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said several of those who were arrested do not live in the Atlanta area or in Georgia.

Hundreds of protesters, who are opposed to the construction of an APD training center, gathered at Underground Atlanta before moving down Peachtree St. in the heart of downtown Atlanta.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Chief Schierbaum said a group of the protesters dressed in all black then began peacefully marching down Peachtree St. When they got to the intersection of Ellis Street, some of the protesters began breaking windows and attacking APD patrol cars. One of the APD cruisers was set on fire.

Within two blocks, Atlanta police officers on the scene had stopped the violence from spreading further into downtown. Chief Schierbaum said the group’s intention was to continue causing damage.

Three businesses, including a Wells Fargo bank, were damaged, Schierbaum said.

No officers or citizens were injured.

Spokespeople with “Stop Cop City,” who have claimed several times that they are peaceful protesters, released a statement saying they are not backing down and do not believe their actions on Saturday night are violent.

“Destruction of material is fundamentally different from violence. All reported acts appear to be explicitly targeted against the financial backers & goons of the Atlanta Police Foundation, a shady nonprofit that funnels weapons and military gear into our city to wage war on black and brown folks. The police have raided the forest for over 7 months, destroying material by trashing camps and water supplies, threatened the lives of forest defenders and now have murdered one. Protestors are only leveling the playing field & preventing future violence by disabling the economic machine of the Atlanta Police Foundation that seeks to sterilize all life within the Weelaunee Forest.”

They later released an amended statement that read:

“What is the proper reaction to police killing Manuel ‘Tortuguita’ Esteban Paez Teran? Destruction of material is fundamentally different from the violence that led to extinguishing someone’s light. We are seeing what we have seen across the country, a community in grief seeking accountability against the financial backers and goons of the Atlanta Police Foundation, a shady nonprofit that funnels weapons and military gear into our city to wage war on Black, Indigenous, Brown and poor folks in the community. The police have evoked violence when they raided the forest for over 7 months, destroying material by trashing camps and water supplies and threatening the lives of forest defenders. It seems the community is trying to disable the economic machine of the Atlanta Police Foundation that seeks to sterilize all life within the Weelaunee Forest to protect the community they love from further violence.“

Mike Register, the Director of the GBI, said the protesters are not peaceful, but were violent on many occasions.

“Arson, attacking citizens, shooting police officers, using explosives,” Register said at a news conference Wednesday.

RELATED STORIES:

Earlier this week, Georgia State Patrol and other agencies were at the site of the proposed facility clearing protesters who had been camped out in the forest for months.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says one of the protesters, Manuel Teran, shot a state trooper and was then killed by return fire.

Friends of Teran, who went by the nickname “Tortuguita,” have repeatedly claimed since the shooting that they are peaceful protesters.

Seven fellow protesters were arrested on Wednesday and charged with domestic terrorism and criminal trespass.

The governor’s office released a statement saying they will not tolerate any unlawful crimes in the name of peaceful protest.

The governor remains well informed of the situation through regular updates from state law enforcement and is actively monitoring the situation. State patrol is well equipped to respond to any and all threats to public safety and is coordinating closely with other state agencies and local PD.

While the state continues to respect peaceful protest, acts of violence against person or property will NOT be tolerated. Those committing such unlawful acts will be arrested and prosecuted fully.

A short time later, Governor Brian Kemp himself tweeted a statement.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr tweeted calling those involved “rioters.” Carr told Channel 2′s Mark Winne earlier this week he is working on a sweeping indictment to charge these protesters with domestic terrorism.

Atlanta police released the following statement to Channel 2 Action News:

“The Atlanta Police Department is aware of the ongoing events, and we will continue to monitor them and address accordingly. We stand ready to respond to demonstrations to ensure the safety of those in our communities and those exercising their first amendment right, or to address illegal activity, should the need arise.”

At 6:45 p.m., Atlanta police released an update saying:

“Atlanta Police have responded to a group damaging property at several locations along Peachtree St. Several arrests have been made at this time and order has been restored to the downtown space. This is still an active and ongoing investigation and we will not be able to provide specifics on arrests numbers or damaged property, at this time.”

Chief Schierbaum said the FBI, GBI, ATF and Georgia Attorney General’s Office are assisting them in their investigation.

Channel 2 Action News is working to get additional information.

APD car set on fire during violent protest in downtown Atlanta (WSB-TV Viewer)

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Watch the full news conference with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum here.

Atlanta mayor, APD chief provide update on violent protests in downtown Atlanta

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

US

Protesters become violent, breaking windows, setting Atlanta police cruiser on fire – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

ATLANTA — A peaceful protest in downtown Atlanta turned violent Saturday evening when protesters set a police car on fire and started smashing windows.

The protesters are opposed to the construction of an APD training center in a forest in DeKalb County.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Underground Atlanta before moving down Peachtree St. in the heart of downtown Atlanta.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Shortly after, some of the protesters dressed in all black began marching down the streets of downtown.

Protesters then turned violent, setting an Atlanta police cruiser on fire and smashing windows of local businesses, including a Wells Fargo bank.

Earlier this week, Georgia State Patrol and other agencies were at the site of the proposed facility clearing protesters who had been camped out in the forest for months.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says one of the protesters, Manuel Teran, shot a state trooper and was then killed by return fire.

Friends of Teran, who went by the nickname “Tortuguita,” have repeatedly claimed since the shooting that they are peaceful protesters.

RELATED STORIES:

The governor’s office released a statement saying they will not tolerate any unlawful crimes in the name of peaceful protest.

The governor remains well informed of the situation through regular updates from state law enforcement and is actively monitoring the situation. State patrol is well equipped to respond to any and all threats to public safety and is coordinating closely with other state agencies and local PD.

While the state continues to respect peaceful protest, acts of violence against person or property will NOT be tolerated. Those committing such unlawful acts will be arrested and prosecuted fully.

A short time later, Governor Brian Kemp himself tweeted a statement.

Atlanta police released the following statement to Channel 2 Action News:

“The Atlanta Police Department is aware of the ongoing events, and we will continue to monitor them and address accordingly. We stand ready to respond to demonstrations to ensure the safety of those in our communities and those exercising their first amendment right, or to address illegal activity, should the need arise.”

At 6:45 p.m., Atlanta police released an update saying:

“Atlanta Police have responded to a group damaging property at several locations along Peachtree St. Several arrests have been made at this time and order has been restored to the downtown space. This is still an active and ongoing investigation and we will not be able to provide specifics on arrests numbers or damaged property, at this time.”

Channel 2 Action News is working to get additional information.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

GBI confirms dead suspect’s gun fired shot that injured state trooper at APD training facility

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

Sports

Family of UGA player killed in crash, attorneys to discuss investigation, legal action – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

ATHENS, Ga. — Lawyers for the family of Devin Willock announced Thursday that they are not pursuing legal action after his death in a car crash last weekend, despite an earlier announcement that they did plan to legal action.

Willock was a passenger in a car driven by University of Georgia staffer Chandler LeCroy when the car lost control early on Sunday morning in Athens and crashed. LeCroy and Willock, who was sitting behind her, were both killed. The wreck came just hours after the Bulldogs celebrated their second-consecutive National Championship with a parade.

Earlier this week, the family’s law firm, Go Big Injury Law, said they would be holding a news conference Thursday where they would be “discussing the legal actions that are being taken on behalf of the Willock family” and that the “family will express their gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of support and prayers they have received.”

The news release did not specify what legal actions the family are considering.

On Thursday, the family’s lawyers said Willock’s parents were not able to be at the news conference, but read a statement on their behalf.”

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

In the crash report released Tuesday, investigators confirmed that the crash was partly caused by excessive speed.

During the press conference, Willock’s parents will also express their gratitude for the support and prayers they have received.

TRENDING STORIES:

Channel 2′s Candace McCowan spoke with Devin’s parents, Sharlene and Dave Willock, who said this is the second deadly car crash the family had to deal with. Devin’s half-brother, Jonathan, was killed in a car accident years ago.

The Willocks are still finalizing funeral plans but plan to have a service in Athens and back in New Jersey.

The news conference will occur at The Clerk of State and Superior Courts in Athens at 2 p.m. Channel 2 Action News will live stream the news conference on WSBTV.com and the WSB-TV breaking news app.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

A protestor is dead and a trooper is hospitalized after a law enforcement operation escalated to gunfire

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

US

Trooper in ICU, shooter dead after raid at proposed APD training facility, GBI says – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga — A Georgia State Patrol trooper was shot, and the protester who shot him was shot and killed during a raid at the site of a proposed Atlanta Police Department training facility on Wednesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

Officials said the trooper was in the ICU and had surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital. He was shot in his pelvic area and was wearing a bulletproof vest during the incident.

GBI Director Mike Register said several agencies raided near the proposed facility that morning. As law enforcement moved through the property, officers found a man inside a tent in the woods.

The GBI released a photo of the tent where the suspect was found.

Officers gave verbal commands to the man, but he did not comply. He then shot a Georgia State Patrol Trooper. That’s when officers returned fire in self-defense, according to the GBI.

Law enforcement officers shot and killed the person who shot the trooper. The shooter’s identity has not been released.

The GBI says the raid was to remove protesters who were at the facility illegally.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

“We would just like to ask for everyone’s thoughts and prayers for his family during this difficult time,” GSP Colonel Chris Wright said.

A Channel 2 Action News photographer saw officers with guns drawn and trained in the woods. According to the GBI, at least four people have been arrested.

Register said building the training center is great for the city, but he supports the right to protest even though he feels protesters have gone over the line several times.

“They’re endangering the community and the citizens in this area,” Register said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Protesters disagreed with how the GBI described this incident, telling Channel 2′s Tom Jones that the protest was peaceful.

The facility, which protesters have nicknamed “Cop City,” has been controversial to many.

Protestors say the facility would be wrong for the community and the environment. The proposed facility would take up an 85-acre plot off Key Road in the largest urban forest in metro Atlanta.

Last month, protestors had to be forcibly removed from trees in the area of the proposed facility.

The GBI says the investigation remains active.

As of early Wednesday evening, there was still a significant police presence outside the proposed facility.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Trooper in surgery after shooting near proposed public safety training facility

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

US

MINUTE-BY-MINUTE: Strong storms leave destructive path across North Georgia – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

ATLANTA — Severe weather made its way across North Georgia and metro Atlanta areas, bringing storms, and likely tornadoes in some areas.

Damaging wind gusts, localized flooding and likely tornadoes have caused significant damage to several different counties.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz has tracked storms and tornado movement all day on Channel 2 Action News.

Channel 2 Action News has tracked storm damage in Cobb, Troup, Newton, Spalding County and more on Thursday.

[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar | DOWNLOAD: Free Severe Weather Team 2 App for alerts wherever you go]

Here is a minute-by-minute look at how the storms have unfolded:

6:45 p.m.

Henry County Schools will be closed Friday, Jan. 13 as the community responds to today’s severe weather.

5:19 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Milledgeville, Eatonton and Hardwick until 6 p.m.

4:58 p.m.

Tornado Warning extended to Jasper, Putnam counties until 5:30 p.m.

4:48 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Monroe, Covington, and Social Circle until 5:15 p.m.

4:35 p.m.

Tornado Warning for Spalding, Henry, Butts and Newton County until 5:15 p.m.

4:28 p.m.

Tornado Warning continues for Griffin, Experiment and East Griffin until 4:45 p.m.

4:15 p.m.

Tornado Warning issued for Rockdale, Henry, Clayton and Newton County until 4:45 p.m.

4:08 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Barrow, Clarke, Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Oconee, Rockdale and Walton County until 4:45 p.m.

4:05 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lamar, Meriwether, Pike and Upson County until 4:45 p.m.

4:02 p.m.

Tornado Warning for Meriwether, Pike, and Spalding County until 4:45 p.m.

3:59 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Banks, Barrow, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson County until 4:45 p.m.

3:57 p.m.

Tornado Warning for DeKalb and Fulton County canceled.

3:51 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Clayton, Coweta, DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton, Henry, Meriwether, Spalding and Troup County until 4:30 p.m.

3:48 p.m.

Tornado Warning for DeKalb and Fulton County until 4:15 p.m.

3:37 p.m.

Tornado Warning for Meriwether and Troup County until 4:15 p.m.

3:33 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett County until 4:15 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Habersham and Rabun County until 4:15 p.m.

3:23 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Carroll, Coweta, Fulton, Heard and Troup County until 4 p.m.

3:20 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Meriwether and Troup County until 4 p.m.

3:15 p.m.

Tornado Warning for Heard and Troup County until 4 p.m.

2:59 p.m.

Tornado Warning for Randolph County, Alabama until 4 p.m.

2:56 p.m.

Atlanta University Center campuses, including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College, will be closed for the rest of the day.

2:49 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson and Heard County until 3:30 p.m.

2:24 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Cleburne, Randolph counties in Alabama until 2 p.m. central time.

2:13 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Upson County until 2:45 pm.

1:59 p.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says an active tornado is on the ground north of Montgomery, Alabama about 80 miles west of Georgia.

1:48 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Floyd, Haralson, Paulding and Polk County until 2:15 p.m.

1:45 p.m.

1:22 p.m.

Atlanta Public Schools and Gwinnett County Public Schools have canceled all after-school activities.

1:10 p.m.

Cobb County Schools has canceled after-school activities.

“Due to severe weather which is moving into the area and bringing rain, high winds, and flash flooding, which could make road conditions dangerous, all of today’s after school activities, except ASP, are cancelled. At this time, dismissal times remain unchanged and buses will operate normally.”

1:07 p.m.

New tornado watch issued.

12:31 p.m.

Cherokee County Schools cancels after-school activities

12:29 p.m.

Clayton County Schools will be dismissing students early.

12:18 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Fannin and Gilmer County until 12:45 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

Banks County Schools will release students early at 2 p.m.

11:46 a.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Chattooga County until 12:15 p.m.

11:02 a.m.

A tornado watch has been issued until 5 p.m. for the counties in red.

Remember if a tornado watch is issued, that means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form and be prepared. If a tornado warning is issue, that means a tornado was spotted or indicated by radar and take cover immediately.

10:55 a.m.

The Gilmer County Schools will release students early today according to the following schedule:

  • 12:00 PM – GHS
  • 12:10 PM – Pre-K
  • 12:20 PM – MVES/EES/CCES
  • 12:38 PM – CCMS

RELATED NEWS

Tornado destroys home on Heard/Carroll county line

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

US

1 dead in double shooting in southeast Atlanta, police say – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

ATLANTA — One person is dead and another is injured after a shooting in southeast Atlanta Friday morning.

Police are currently investigating two scenes, one on Kipling Street and another on McDonough Boulevard.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The victim on Kipling Drive was found dead at the scene. The second victim was dropped off at Grady Memorial Hospital.

The victims have not been identified and it’s unclear what led up to the shooting.

Police have not released information about any potential suspects.

We have crews headed to the scene to learn more about this developing story, on Channel 2 Action News at Noon.

Fulton deputy found shot to death identified as 24-year-old ‘life of the party,’ sheriff confirms A Fulton County Sheriff’s Office deputy was found shot to death in a crashed car in northwest Atlanta on Thursday morning.

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

Entertainment

‘That’s So Raven’ star Orlando Brown pleads not guilty to charge in Ohio – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

LIMA, Ohio — Former “That’s So Raven” actor Orlando Brown is accused of threatening a relative with a hammer and knife, authorities said.

>> Read more trending news

Brown, 35, was arrested Thursday in Lima, Ohio, and charged with aggravated menacing, according to Allen County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.

Update 1:29 p.m. EST Dec. 25: Orlando Brown on Friday pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault charges in Ohio.

The “That’s So Raven” star was arraigned in Lima Municipal Court, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was charged with aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor assault charge in Ohio.

Brown, 35, is being held on a cash bond, according to Allen County online court records. An attorney has not yet been appointed to represent him.

Original report: Brown was originally taken into custody on a charge of domestic violence by threat, Lima police Officer Dylan Erdmann said, according to Deadline. At his arraignment on Friday, Brown’s charge was adjusted to misdemeanor aggravated menacing, Erdmann said.

According to an arrest report from the Lima Police Department, a person who claimed to be a relative of the actor told police that Brown had been “going crazy” inside a home and “came at him with a hammer and knife in a threatening manner,” People reported.

According to the report, the relative told police that he believed that Brown “was going to assault him.”

Brown is best known for his role as Eddie Thomas on the Disney Channel television series, “That’s So Raven.” He appeared in all 100 episodes of the series, which aired from 2003 to 2007, according to IMDb.com.

Brown also voiced the character of Sticky Webb in 42 episodes of the Disney TV series “The Proud Family,” from 2001 to 2005, according to IMDb.com. Deadline reported that he also had guest roles on “Moesha,” “Family Matters,” “Two of a Kind,” and “Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off.”

In 2018, Brown got a large tattoo of “That’s So Raven” star Raven-Symoné on his neck and chest, People reported.

Later that year, Brown appeared on “The Dr. Phil Show” and addressed his struggles with addiction, mental health and homelessness, according to People.

In 2014, a woman told police that Brown threatened to kill her and her daughter, Entertainment Weekly reported. The actor agreed to a plea deal. He was later apprehended by bounty hunters in Las Vegas after he failed to appear for a court date.

Two years later, Brown was arrested after allegedly breaking into a Las Vegas restaurant, the entertainment news website reported. He served time in jail after pleading no contest.

Latest entertainment and celebrity news:

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

US

14, 16-year-old teens dead, others injured after shootout at southwest Atlanta apartment complex – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

ATLANTA — Atlanta police have confirmed with Channel 2 Action News that multiple teens were shot in southwest Atlanta at an apartment complex.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police responded to the scene at 3000 Continental Colony Parkway after reports of people being shot around 5:08 p.m.

According to the police, a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene while several other victims were transported to a nearby hospital.

The address appears to be an apartment complex named The Retreat at Greenbriar.

Police said three teens — a 15-year-old female, 15-year-old male, and an 11-year-old boy — were transported to a local hospital.

Police believe some type of argument on social media escalated the incident to gunfire.

“One group of individuals came to the apartment with their guns, then the other group fired their weapons,” Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said. “Both parties had weapons.”

TRENDING STORIES:

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Atlanta police.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

New law enforcement livestream could help save lives

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

World

Clayton County 11-year-old girl found after mysterious disappearance, police say – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Clayton County police say an 11-year-old girl whose disappearance they were investigating as possible human trafficking has been found.

Police announced Friday afternoon that R’Kayla Briggs had been located. They did not offer any details on where or how she was found.

Investigators have not released any details on the circumstances surrounding girl’s disappearance.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2′s Tom Jones attended a news conference Friday morning where police said they believed Briggs was in danger.

R’Kayla’s parents say the 11-year-old packed a bag and left home on Monday. She deleted her social media accounts and hasn’t answered the phone.

At first, her parents thought she was heading to Texas with a 22-year-old man. Investigators said Friday that she may be with a man or a woman still in Georgia.

“Bring her back. We are asking you to bring her back because we are not going to stop,” parent Kenicia Moss said.

TRENDING STORIES

Moss told Jones that she thinks her daughter met someone on Instagram.

“Parents, we encourage you. Check phones. Check internet. You never know,” she said.

On Friday, the child’s mother, Brandy Mosely, told Jones that her daughter was dropped off back at home by two men. Police confirmed that is what happened. Mosely briefly took her daughter to police headquarters Friday afternoon.

Jones was there as the mother raced inside. She didn’t have anything to say. But a couple of days earlier she pleaded with her daughter to come home. “We love you girl. Come home. You know we love you. You got a village behind you. Whole village. Please come home,” her mother said.

Mosely didn’t say anything when she came out of the police station Friday night. But on the phone she told Jones God works and she is a believer in Him.

IN OTHER NEWS

15-year-old mother missing for nearly a week found safe, DeKalb police say

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here

Entertainment

Atlanta Rapper Gunna to be released after pleading guilty to RICO charge – WSB-TV Channel 2

Leave a comment

ATLANTA — Atlanta rapper Gunna has pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge in a sweeping gang indictment against him, rapper Young Thug and several other alleged members of the Young Slime Life criminal street gang.

We’re working to learn when the rapper will be released from jail, on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne was the only television journalist in the courtroom Wednesday as Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, faced a judge.

The rapper entered a negotiated plea, known as an Alford plea, in which he pleaded guilty on one charge because it was in his best interest while maintaining his innocence on the same charge. The charge was one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Act.

Gunna was sentenced to five years with one served in prison. The one-year sentence was commuted to time served. The four-year remaining balance on his sentence has been suspended and will be subject to special conditions including 500 hours of community service.

After the sentence came down, the rapper released a statement, saying:

“While I have agreed to always be truthful, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way.”

RELATED STORIES:

Despite saying that he will not testify, it is a condition of Gunna’s trial that he testifies if he is called, though he can claim the Fifth Amendment.

Gunna, Young Thug and 26 others were arrested in May in a sweeping gang indictment that claimed YSL is a violent criminal street gang that has committed multiple murders, shootings and carjackings over the course of a decade. Prosecutors said that the rappers promoted the gang’s activities in songs and on social media.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

In his statement Wednesday, Gunna said that when he joined YSL in 2016, he didn’t consider it a gang, but “more like a group of people from metro Atlanta who had common interests and artistic aspirations,” Gunna wrote. “My focus of YSL was entertainment — rap artists who wrote and performed music that exaggerated and ‘glorified’ urban life in the Black community.”

Gunna said he cherishes his association with YSL music and always will.

In the plea agreement, which was obtained by Channel 2, the rapper swore that he has personal knowledge that members or associates of YSL have committed crimes in furtherance of the gang and seemed to distance himself from “YSL the gang” vs. “YSL the label.”

“I recognize, accept and deeply regret that my talent and music indirectly furthered YSL the gang to the detriment of my community,” Gunna acknowledged on the signed statement. “YSL as a gang must end.”

Gunna also attested in the plea deal that he was in a car with Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, when officers pulled the car over and found hydrocodone, methamphetamine and a firearm inside. According to the plea agreement, Gunn claimed the gun and drugs weren’t his. It’s unclear if anyone else was in the car at the time.

Per the plea agreement, the rapper will have to perform 500 hours of community service, a substantial portion of which will require him to speak to young people about the hazards and immorality of gangs and gang violence.

He is also not allowed to carry a gun during the term of his sentence. If he violates the terms of the plea agreement, the district attorney has the right to revoke his suspended sentence.

Young Thug remains in jail.

RELATED STORY:

Prosecutors ask judge for delay in Young Thug, Gunna trial In May, Young Thug and Gunna were both named in a sweeping gang indictment that included 26 other people alleged to be members of the Young Slime Life gang.

©2022 Cox Media Group



Read original article here