Two more men have been charged in Friday’s shootout at Alabama’s Riverchase Galleria that killed an 8-year-old boy and wounded three others, officials said Tuesday.
Hoover police on Tuesday announced the arrests of King Gary Williams and Demetrius Dewayne Jackson Jr. Both men, who are 19 and from Birmingham, were charged with capital murder and three counts of second-degree assault and were being held without bail, AL.com reported.
On Friday, 8-year-old Royta De’Marco Giles Jr. was fatally shot at the suburban Birmingham mall, WBMA reported.
Hoover Mayor says they are improving security at Mall to make customers make feel safe. Fund being set up to help victims families. @abc3340 pic.twitter.com/Eu6xq5Z92E
— Cynthia Gould (@cynthia3340) July 7, 2020
Hoover police announced the same charges against Montez Moses Miracle Coleman, 22, of Birmingham, AL.com reported. Coleman also remains in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.
Giles was shot in the head while waiting to get into the Children’s Place in the mall to buy Fourth of July outfits, AL.com reported. The child was with his mother, Jesslyn Layfield, stepfather Anthony Jones, and his two younger sisters, the website reported.
According to police, Coleman got into a verbal argument with a group of males on the first level of the mall, near the food court, WBMA reported.
“We believe this was just a feud that had been going for a while that came to a head in the mall,‘' Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said at a news conference.
Hoover PD announces two more arrests in fatal mall shooting. Number of tips came in to help with investigation. @abc3340 pic.twitter.com/dq32mT2bdM
— Cynthia Gould (@cynthia3340) July 7, 2020
Police believe Williams and Jackson immediately returned fire after Coleman brandished a weapon.
“It was over in a matter of seconds,‘' Hoover Police Lt. Keith Czeskleba said. “It was literally that quick.”
“All we can say is thank God more people weren’t hurt because those bullets were flying through that mall,‘' Derzis said. “It’s incredible that more people weren’t hurt.”
Derzis said Williams surrendered to police Sunday night, and Jackson surrendered to authorities Monday. The chief said he does not expect any additional people to be charged, AL.com reported.
“While the investigation is not complete, the first step to holding those responsible for this horrible act have been taken,‘' Derzis told reporters. “The way the community rallied together to bring these suspects to justice shows that this type of reckless behavior will not be tolerated.
“We cannot bring Royta back to his family and we know that and we are saddened by that,‘' Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said. “But we can provide them with answers about what happened and we can bring these individuals to a court system to face justice.”
A memorial service is scheduled for Giles on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Bessemer Recreation Center. The Riverchase Galleria is paying for the child’s funeral, which is scheduled for noon Saturday at the Bessemer Civic Center, AL.com reported.
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