Correction to previous article regarding GPD officer’s wreck

SHEILA A. MATHEWS – PUBLISHER’S NOTE ::: The GRIP has learned that certain information reported Saturday morning regarding an on-duty wreck involving Griffin Police Department Officer Jessie Piland was factually incorrect. In the article “GPD officer sustains minor injuries in early morning wreck,” The GRIP reported the incident was being investigated by the Georgia State […]

School officials investigating video of Griffin High teacher shouting at students

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCSS) is investigating a Monday incident in which a Griffin High School teacher was recorded giving an impassioned speech to some students. In the video, which is being widely shared on social media, the teacher, GHS Athletic Director Dr. Kennedy Holt, is heard telling the students […]

Victim in Friday night shooting in Griffin’s Walden Pointe Apartments has died

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The victim in an overnight shooting in Walden Pointe Apartments on Carver Road in Griffin has died. Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates confirmed Saturday morning that his agency’s investigation of this murder is active and ongoing. No suspects are in custody at the time of this report. The GRIP will […]

16-year-old identified as suspect in Monday night murder

STAFF REPORT ::: Investigators have identified a teenager as the suspect in an overnight shooting that left one man dead. The Griffin Police Department has named 16-year-old Malik Yarbrough as the gunman who shot and killed 46-year-old Robert D. Brown, of Clayton County. Authorities say numerous interviews were conducted and several search warrants executed in […]

Griffin PD investigating Monday night murder

STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Police Department is investigating a murder that occurred overnight Monday. GPD officers and personnel of WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital Emergency Medical Services responded at approximately 12:13 a.m. to a call reporting a person shot at 212 Melrose Avenue. Upon arrival, a deceased man, identified as 46-year-old Robert D. Brown, of […]

GPD: Accidental shooting not ruled out in death of 12-year-old boy

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The shooting death of a 12-year-old boy remains under investigation by the Griffin Police Department. The boy was killed Saturday night in the 600 block of Hammock Drive. GPD Public Information Office Lt. Daniel Jett on Sunday said investigators are not yet releasing the victim’s name. “I cannot confirm that,” he […]

SCSO: 20 arrested, 10 wanted in connection with meth, opioid investigation

STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 20 people in connection with an investigation specifically targeting individuals allegedly distributing methamphetamine and opiates in Griffin and Spalding County. In addition to the 20 arrested, ten more suspects are wanted and being sought in connection to this investigation. The investigation was initiated in December, […]

Dozens of shots fired and three homes struck in two drive by shootings

STAFF REPORT ::: Two separate drive by shootings – one early Sunday morning and the second early Tuesday – left three Griffin homes riddled with gunfire. On Dec. 8, at approximately 4 a.m., Griffin Police Department Officer Phillip Johnson responded to the 300 block of East Quilly Street, where he met with Jemel Whitlock and […]

Drive by shooting under investigation

STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Police Department is investigating a reported drive by shooting on Tinsley Street. The incident was reported by James Andrews, who said the incident occurred outside his 729 E. Tinsley St. residence. “Andrews sister April Andrews was sitting on the couch in the living room when she heard the shots and […]

SCSO investigating Sunday night shooting

SHEILA A. MATHEWS The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an alleged aggravated assault that left one man wounded by gunfire. The incident was reported just prior to 7 p.m. Sunday, with Deputy Greg Speights dispatched to 116 Mace St. in reference to a person with a gun shot wound. The reported victim has been […]

Viral video alleging child sex predation leads to detention of Lamar County man

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Lamar County man seen in a viral video filmed in the Griffin Wal-Mart, where he allegedly planned to meet “John,” who was believed to be a 14-year-old boy, is being held in the Lamar County Jail. According to Lamar County Sheriff Brad White, the man identified as James Crews turned […]

GBI investigating death of Spalding County Jail inmate

STAFF REPORT ::: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of a Spalding County Jail inmate. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, the man’s death occurred Friday afternoon. Authorities say deputies were notified at approximately 2 p.m. today that the inmate was in distress, and jail medical personnel and […]

Two arrests made in series of ATV thefts

STAFF REPORT ::: A cooperative investigation of the Sheriff’s Offices of Spalding and Fayette counties has resulted in the arrest of two men related to a series of ATV thefts. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, the thefts occurred in western Spalding County and Fayette County. Arrested were Michael Edward Roberts, […]

GPD seeking suspect in Thursday morning armed robbery

STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Police Department is searching for a suspect in a Thursday morning armed robbery of the Dollar General located at 1019 Memorial Drive. According to a press release, officers of the GPD Uniform Patrol Division were dispatched to that location just after 11:30 a.m. Employees reported the suspect used a handgun […]

GBI reports preliminary autopsy findings for Judge Bill Johnston

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Crime Lab on Thursday conducted an autopsy on Griffin City Court Judge Bill Johnston. According to Nelly Miles, director of the GBI Office of Public Affairs, preliminary autopsy findings indicate Johnston’s death was noncriminal. Miles said the Griffin Police Department initially requested GBI assistance in […]