STAFF REPORT ::: Two people are in custody after a domestic dispute that resulted in gunfire at the Home Depot. According to the Griffin Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Home Depot on Highway 16 shortly before 4 p.m. Authorities say two individuals were engaged in a domestic dispute that ended at that location. […]
BREAKING NEWS: Suspect identified in shooting death of 11-year-old girl
March 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in the overnight shooting death of an 11-year-old little girl. Kionta Jahaun Parks is wanted on charges including felony murder, aggravated assault, cruelty to children, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, violation of the Georgia Street Gang Act and […]
Officials refute rumors of RRMS administrator’s arrest
March 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has confirmed through multiple official sources that rumors a Rehoboth Road Middle School administrator was removed from the school in handcuffs are false. Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix contacted Capt. Frank Clark, who contacted all SCSO school resource officers, as well as Donald Britt, with the Griffin-Spalding County School […]
BREAKING NEWS: 11-year-old Spalding County girl killed by stray bullet
March 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT ::: An 11-year-old little girl was shot and killed Tuesday morning when a stray bullet entered her bedroom window, striking and killing her instantly. According to Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, the shooting occurred at approximately 1 a.m. in Spalding Heights. “One of the rounds that was fired at the intended target missed, […]
Griffin officials decline to comment on GPD sergeant involved in murder cover-up
February 20, 2023 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: City of Griffin officials have declined to respond to the most basic questions related to Griffin Police Department (GPD) Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King, even refusing to cite his current employment status. King, while assigned to the GPD Criminal Intelligence Division (CID), covered up the May 9, 2021, murder of Javarreis Reid […]
DA will seek GBI investigation of GPD officer who concealed brother’s alleged role in murder
February 17, 2023 by 2 Comments
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie Broder has notified the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) of her intent to request an investigation of Griffin Police Department Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King. Broder’s request to the GBI is the result of an investigation conducted by The GRIP, which reported that King was reprimanded […]
BoC vote and contract to conduct Griffin PD operational assessment cloaked in secrecy
February 17, 2023 by 2 Comments
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Board of Commissioners has voted to authorize an operational assessment of the Griffin Police Department. The vote authorizing City Attorney Drew Whalen to move forward with a contract for this assessment was taken during the BoC’s Nov. 22 meeting. All discussion about the operational assessment and the vote authorizing […]
Damon Beck, Griffin Police officer’s brother, apprehended for 2021 murder
February 16, 2023 by 3 Comments
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has learned that Damon Marquis Beck, a suspect in the May 9, 2021, murder of Javarreis Reid, has been arrested. Beck is currently being held in the Spalding County Jail on charges of murder and aggravated assault. Beck is the brother of Griffin Police Department Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King. […]
Griffin PD officer covered up murder by concealing his brother’s alleged involvement
February 16, 2023 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Internal Griffin Police Department records indicate an officer covered up a murder by shielding a suspect. Disciplinary records obtained by The GRIP establish that Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King deliberately concealed the alleged involvement of his brother, Damon Beck, in the May 9, 2021, murder of Javarreis Reid. The body of Javarreis […]
Suspect arrested in Monday home invasion, kidnapping of 71-year-old woman
February 16, 2023 by Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT ::: A Griffin man has been arrested in connection with the Monday morning home invasion and kidnapping and armed robbery of a 71-year-old woman. Authorities say the incident occurred on High Falls Road during the early morning hours of Feb. 13. Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division deputies responded to a residence […]
Two suspects in October 2022 murder apprehended
February 15, 2023 by Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT ::: Two suspects being sought in connection with an October 2022 murder in Griffin Crossings Apartments is in custody. The Griffin Police Department and Spalding County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team on Tuesday executed a search warrant at the Griffin Inn and Suites located at 2010 N. Expressway. As a result, Manderrius Brown, age […]
Former Griffin PD officer arrested for violation of oath of office, theft by deception
February 9, 2023 by 2 Comments
STAFF REPORT ::: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested a former officer of the Griffin Police Department on charges of theft by deception and violation of oath by a public officer. Asia Jones, age 26, of Hampton, was arrested in connection with a GBI investigation requested June 17, 2022, by the GPD. The […]
Griffin PD: Monday shooting outside WellStar Spalding Regional ER determined to be suicide
February 6, 2023 by Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT ::: Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Officers responded today to a call reporting a man who had been shot near the WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital Emergency Room. Officials say the investigation has determined the man sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. The man, whom The GRIP will not identify, died as […]
Spalding man charged with 11 counts of obscene internet contact with a minor
February 1, 2023 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A Spalding County man – Timothy Smallwood, age 41 – was among 11 people arrested on child exploitation charges by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) as a result of Operation Happy New Year. The GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit and the GBI’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) partnered […]
The GRIP 