Mother of deceased four-month-old baby now charged with murder

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Nakia Cloud, the mother of Zychion Damal Montgomery, a four-month-old baby who died in his father’s home early last Saturday morning, has now been charged with murder. Cloud and Zachary Montgomery, Zychion’s father, were initially charged with second degree cruelty to children, a felony. Those charges were upgraded after information was […]

Sheriff: 76 local gang members indicted after joint RICO investigation

STAFF REPORT ::: More than 75 people are in custody or being sought for arrest following a several months long investigation initiated by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. Beginning in December 2022, the SCSO S.T.I.N.G. and Special Operations units began targeting the “Neighborhood Bloods Rollin’ 20’s Zoo Krew,” which officials describe as the most violent […]

BREAKING NEWS: Suspect identified in shooting death of 11-year-old girl

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 […]

BREAKING NEWS: 11-year-old Spalding County girl killed by stray bullet

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

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

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 […]

Damon Beck, Griffin Police officer’s brother, apprehended for 2021 murder

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

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 […]

Two suspects in October 2022 murder apprehended

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 […]

GPD charges 15-year-old with murder in Tuesday domestic-related stabbing

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A 15-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with an early Tuesday morning homicide. Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of W. Tinsley Street at approximately 6 a.m. in reference to a domestic dispute. Upon arrival at 115 W. Tinsley St. Apartment A, […]

U.S. Marshals Task Force officer, Pike County murder suspect shot during execution of arrest warrant

STAFF REPORT ::: The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Fayette County that is related to a recent Pike County murder. The preliminary investigation indicates that at 9:18 a.m., the U.S. Marshals Service and Fayette County Sheriff’s Office executed an arrest warrant for Antonio Murgado Jr. at 429 Sage Brush Trail, Fayetteville. Murgado […]

U.S. Marshal Service arrests third Pike County murder suspect

STAFF REPORT ::: A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the July 16 murder of James Knight. Antonio Murgado Jr., age 19, was arrested in Fayette County by the United States Marshal Service. An officer involved shooting occurred during Murgado’s arrest. At the time of Knight’s murder, Murgado Jr. was on bond in […]

14-year-old charged in Pike County murder; third suspect at large has been identified

STAFF REPORT ::: A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the Saturday night murder of James Knight. Knight was shot and killed outside the residence located at 214 Patton Road in Pike County. The Pike County Sheriff’s Office said a 14-year-old juvenile was arrested Tuesday afternoon for their alleged involvement in Knight’s shooting […]

Pike County murder suspect apprehended

STAFF REPORT ::: Jaiden Chappell, the Griffin woman suspected in the murder of 19-year-old James Knight, of Pike County, is in custody. Chappell, age 18, has been charged with murder and is being held in the Pike County Jail while awaiting her first court appearance. Authorities say Knight was shot and killed outside the residence […]

Griffin woman identified as murder suspect in Saturday night Pike County shooting

STAFF REPORT ::: A Griffin woman, 18-year-old Jaiden Chappell, is being sought by Pike County authorities in connection with a murder. The Pike County Sheriff’s Office responded to 214 Patton Road at approximately 10 p.m. Saturday in response to a shooting that left one man dead. The victim has been identified as 19-year-old James Knight. […]