Men who allegedly fired off rounds in a Walton County church parking lot have been arrested, police said Wednesday.
The shots came shortly after a scuffle during a basketball game.
On Monday night, Degarrious Smith, 20, and Fanandez Smith, 20, got into a fight while playing a game of pick-up basketball inside the Monroe Church of God’s gymnasium. The men decided to take it outside.
One man allegedly pulled out a gun and fired off rounds, and the other alledgedly returned fire. No one was injured.
A church volunteer inside the gym heard the gunshots and immediately ran outside to intervene. “There’s kids in here,” the volunteer reportedly said. “If you’re going to shoot, you’re going to have to shoot through me.”
The two men then ran away.
Monroe police said Monday they had an idea about the suspects’ identities, which was confirmed with the arrests later that night.
The two Smiths, who police said are not related, were arrested in connection with the shots fired, according to a post on the City of Monroe Police Department's Facebook page. Sanchinez Sims, the 21-year-old step brother to Fanandez Smith, was arrested for probation violation, not in connection with the shots fired, police said.
Degarrious Smith was charged with reckless conduct and Fanandez Smith was charged with aggravated assault, reckless conduct, discharging firearms near public street and possession of firearm during commission of a crime.
The Monroe Church of God opens its Family Center on Monday nights for middle and high school students to play basketball and eat a meal.
Monroe Police Chief Keith Glass said it was a good thing no one was hurt and that he plans to take steps to heighten security by keeping an eye on those who come in to play basketball on Monday nights.
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