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May 31, 2024
[SPD]
Cooper, Jones, Kenny each arrested by SPD on May 30. "The investigation remains ongoing," say police.
ByTravis Jaudon
The Savannah Police Department took another step forward Friday in its investigation into a mass shooting that happened on May 18 near Savannah’s Ellis Square. After making an initial arrest of one suspect on May 21, SPD on Thursday (May 30) released the names of two more at large suspects in the case. By Friday, May 31, that duo was behind bars,
according to jail bookings from Chatham County.Cazare Pernell Cooper and Jordan Caleb Jones are each charged for their alleged roles in the shooting which resulted in 10 gunshot wound victims (no deaths). Cooper, 18, is charged with four counts of aggravated assault and one possession of a firearm during a felony. Jones, 20, is charged with eight total felonies: Four aggravated assault counts and four on possession of a firearm during a felony. WSAVfirst reported the news of their arrestslate on Thursday night.
A 29-year-old was also arrested by SPD for a role in the Ellis Square shootings, according to an SPD press release issued at 1:42pm on Friday, May 31.
"Samira Yvette Kenny, 29; Cazare Pernell Cooper, 18; and Jordan Caleb Jones, 20, were arrested on May 30 in connection with the May 18 shooting in Ellis Square," SPD said."SPD would like to thank the public for providing valuable information and ask for their continued support. The investigation remains ongoing."
Related
COURT DOCS: Man arrested for Ellis Square shooting was in SPD custody 50 days earlier: William Mitchell is charged with 8 felony counts for Ellis Square role. He was released on bond on April 1 after a prior arrest for felony drug charges.
A press release announcing the names of Cooper and Jones was posted by SPD communication officials earlier on Thursday afternoon. Both men have May 30 arrest dates listed on the Chatham County jail bookings website.Kenny is the lone female to be arrested in connection to the Ellis Square investigation.
“The Savannah Police Department is seeking two individuals in connection with the May 18 shooting in Ellis Square that left 11 people injured,” said the May 30 SPD press release. “Cooper is wanted for four counts of aggravated assault and possession of firearm during a felony. Jones is wanted for four counts of aggravated assault (party to) and four counts of possession of firearm during a felony.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was aiding SPD in its investigation and the FBI office in Atlanta announced a $10,000 reward last week for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects wanted in connection to the May 18 shootings.
Samira Yvette Kenny, 29; Cazare Pernell Cooper, 18; and Jordan Caleb Jones, 20, were arrested on May 30 in connection with the May 18 shooting in Ellis Square. SPD would like to thank the public for providing valuable information and ask for their continued support. pic.twitter.com/Mo9nDMcsuD
— Savannah Police Department (@SavPolice) May 31, 2024
'); })() Two days before Cooper and Jones were arrested by SPD, the department posted three images of three different females also being sought for questioning regarding Ellis Square. The images were posted alongside a statement asking the public to call CrimeStoppers (912.234.2020) should they have any information on the identities or whereabouts of the women.
It is unclear if Kenny was one of the three women pictured in SPD's post.
“SPD is seeking these individuals for questioning in connection with a shooting,” the May 29 social media post said.
William Anthony Mitchell was the first arrest made by police in their investigation into the Ellis Square shooting. He was arrested on May 21 and subsequently charged with eight felony counts for alleged connections to the violent square shooting a few nights prior. SPD arrested Mitchell hours after a judge signed off on a warrant, but it was not his first encounter with local police.
Mitchell was previously arrested, on March 30, and charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, as well as possession of marijuana (more than an ounce) with intent to distribute. Court documents showed Mitchell was given bond in that case by Judge Crystal Harman two days after his arrest, on April 1, his 20th birthday.
Less than two months after his bond was granted in that case, Mitchell would be arrested at a home on Bradley Boulevard for the Ellis Square charges now against him.
Cooper too has a checkered past with Savannah Police; he also had pending felony charges in Chatham County. Cooperwas most recentlycited for law violations in April 2024 when SPD officer Lucas Hinds cited him for Possession of Marijuana (less than an ounce). A court date with Judge Claire Williams was set for June 4 in that open case, but he also had pending charges stemming from a 2023 arrest that were far more serious.
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[FBI]
The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests of Ellis Square suspects
Cooper was booked in August of 2023 on charges that included theft by receiving stolen property (firearm), two counts of possession of firearm during commission of a felony, and possession of narcotics/controlled substances (schedule II).
He, like Mitchell, was released on bond shortly after that arrest. And he, like Mitchell, would wind up behind bars again after the Ellis Square shootings only a few months later. Adding to the similarities, Cooper will also spend his birthday in police custody (just as Mitchell did on April 1). He will turn 19 on Saturday, June 1.
SAMIRA YVETTE KENNY
Arrest Date: 05/30/2024
Agency: SAVANNAH PD
Charges:
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-11-131(b) - RECEIPT, POSSESSION OR TRANSPORT OF FIREARM BY CONVICTED FELON OR FELONY FIRST OFFENDER, ETC - F
16-11-106 - POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES - F
16-11-106 - POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES - F
16-11-131(b) - RECEIPT, POSSESSION OR TRANSPORT OF FIREARM BY CONVICTED FELON OR FELONY FIRST OFFENDER, ETC - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
CAZARE PERNELL COOPER
Arrest Date: 05/30/2024
Agency: SAVANNAH PD
Charges:
16-11-106 - POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
JORDAN CALEB JONES
Arrest Date: 05/30/2024
Agency: SAVANNAH PD
Charges:
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-5-21 - AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - F
16-11-106 - POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES - F
16-11-106 - POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES - F
16-11-106 - POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES - F
16-11-106 - POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES - F
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