Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

Athens man indicted in killing of transgender girl

Jalen Brown
Jalen Brown
By Raisa Habersham
Jan 9, 2018

A man accused of killing a transgender teenager after a fight at an apartment complex last year has been indicted on murder charges, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

Athens-Clarke County police said Jalen Breon Brown, 21, pulled out a gun and shot RayQuann Deonte Jernigan, who friends and family said identified as Ava Le’Ray Barrin, in the parking lot of the Riverview Apartments on June 25, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. She later died at a hospital.

MORE: Man claims self-defense in transgender teen's shooting death, faces murder charge

Brown claimed self-defense in the case, but was still charged with murder. He also faces two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime, the newspaper reported.

Authorities said the two knew each other, but have not stated a motive in the case.

Read more of the story here.

In other news:

Police arrested a couple at a North Austin restaurant. Jonathan Hightower, 31, and Lashanda Fisher, 28, were arrested and charged. They are accused of public lewdness, a misdemeanor. Police said witnesses saw the two engaging in oral sex at their booth. The report said the witnesses were offended and children were present.

About the Author

Raisa Habersham is the Intown Atlanta hyperlocal reporter for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

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