SAVANNAH, GA (March 18, 2016): Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Violent Crimes detectives have obtained arrest warrants for Vernon Priester, 19, for the March 16 shooting that claimed the life of Aahkil Heyward, 22, and injured two others.
Detectives continue to investigate the incident and have one charge of murder and two charges of aggravated assault pending against Priester, who suffered serious injuries at the hands of his victims. He remains in stable condition at Memorial University Medical Center and will be transported to the Chatham County Detention Center upon his release from the hospital and pending arrest.
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter call in the area March 16 and found Heyward deceased outside the residence. The victim’s father, Lewis Heyward, 57, and Tracy Taylor, 53, sustained non-life threatening injuries as they attempted to subdue the shooter. Heyward and Taylor were treated and released at Memorial University Medical Center.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A tip line also is open directly to investigators at (912) 525-3124 and most area clergy have agreed to serve as liaisons for anyone who would like to share information with police anonymously.
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