Two teens were arrested in connection with the shooting death of 17-year-old Jahlah Branch at a Gwinnett County house party last July, police said Friday.
Trevais Ways, 16, of Snellville, was arrested Wednesday on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault, Gwinnett police Cpl. Deon Washington said.
While at the party on Aviator Circle in Snellville, Ways was involved in a dispute over a cellphone theft, Washington said. He pulled out a gun and began firing inside the home.
Aundre Brooks, 19, of Lithonia, was arrested in October on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, Washington said. Acting as a security guard, Brooks began shooting inside the home in response to Ways’ gunfire.
Police said soon after the incident that there were multiple shooters, but witnesses had left by the time officers arrived. About 100 teens attended the party, officials said.
Branch’s father, Saviour Branch, told Channel 2 Action News that his son shielded two girls from a gunshot before he was killed.
“My son pushed one girl out of the way and then her little cousin was just standing there,” Saviour Branch said. “Jahlah just grabbed her and covered her and that’s how he got shot.”
Ways, who has been charged as an adult, is being held at the Rockdale Regional Youth Detention Center, Washington said. Brooks is at the Gwinnett County Detention Center.
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