Suspected gang member charged in deadly shooting at ‘pajama party’

Michael Javon Williams

Credit: Coweta County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Coweta County Sheriff's Office

Michael Javon Williams

A gang member is facing murder and other charges after a member of another gang was shot to death at a residential party, authorities said.

Coweta County deputies arrested Michael Javon Williams, 27, after the incident early Saturday near Newnan, according to records. Williams is being held without bond at the Coweta County jail.

When deputies arrived at the 100 block of Covey Trail about 3:30 a.m., they found Tomas Maurice Gooden, 21, unresponsive in the garage, according to the sheriff’s report.

“It appeared Tomas was shot by an unknown firearm in his head,” according to the report.

The person who reported the incident, Mundel Whitaker, told investigators he and friends were having a “pajama party” at the residence. The party “got out of hand” when a lot of people arrived he and others didn’t recognize, Whitaker told deputies.

Williams and Gooden were gang members, sheriff’s Col. Jimmy Yarbrough said, and there was gambling going on at the gathering.

Whitaker said he and others were in the living room and preparing for bed when he heard someone yell, “He's got a gun,” and then heard a gunshot.

He then called his mother after dialing 911 because he was scared, deputies said.

His mother told an investigator the identity of the shooter, based on what she was told by someone at the scene, according to the report. She also said a black BMW that was parked in the front yard of the residence belonged to the shooter.

Authorities found and arrested Williams, who also is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon by a felon and violating probation, according to jail records.

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