Second person dies following Savannah mass shooting on Avery Street

According to Savannah Police Chief Roy Minter, the 18-month-old's ankle was lightly grazed.

Minter said shots were fired from inside a dark-colored or red sedan into a group of people outside a residence. He said the victims of Friday’s shooting were outside of a residence that was previously targeted on Tuesday.

According to Minter, on Saturday night, officers attempted to stop a red sedan which then fled. Officers were later able to arrest two individuals.

"At this time detectives are still investigating and trying to determine whether or not those two individuals who were arrested on Saturday night are connected to the Avery Street incident," Minter said during a press conference on Tuesday morning.

"We don't have any connection at this time, but we did locate some individuals in a red Honda."

According to SPD, there were 60 shell casings found at the scene on Avery Street and six vehicles damaged by gunfire.

"We're still working through that part of the investigation...and we're pretty sure that 60 shell casings did not come from just one weapon," said Minter.

Though Minter has said they believe the incident may be gang related, it is too soon in the investigation to tell, he says.

Minter also mentioned that they encountered a victim's brother on Sunday who was interviewing the injured at Memorial Health University Medical Center for information on who may be involved in the shooting. The individual had to be escorted out, according to Minter.

"We realize there are some people out there who may be hesitant about providing information to us, but they may provide information to some of our community members," said Minter.

Mayor Johnson continued to talk about the need for communication from residents there. He said that prior to the incident, he, the police chief and several aldermen had walked around that area to establish a rapport with the community.

"We make ourselves available and I'll continue to make myself available to anyone who wants to talk to me."

Johnson has said in previous conferences that those with information can contact him as well as other city officials or community and faith leaders.

"It has to be nurtured," Johnson said of the relationship between residents and the city, "it has to be fed and nourished and we will continue to be able to do that."

At the conference, both Johnson and Minter acknowledged a need for a "holistic community-based approach."

“I'm talking about things in addition to what law enforcement can do—addressing issues of poverty, blight, education, employment...mentoring programs in our community retention programs in our community, getting involved in our youth, in our adults' lives in our community," said Minter.

Johnson also briefly addressed the issue of gun legislation. "I will continue to ask the state and our state leaders that we need common sense gun legislation in our communities."

To further encourage members of the community to come forward, the department has arranged for an additional reward of at least $10,000 for information resulting in the arrest of the parties responsible. Tipsters can contact the Savannah Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 912-651-4362 or the Crime Tip Line at 912-525-3124.

CrimeStoppers also has a standing reward up to $2,500 for crime tips. Tipsters remain anonymous and can reach CrimeStoppers by calling 912-234-2020 or visiting SavannahChathamCrimeStoppers.org and clicking “Submit Online Tip.”

This is an ongoing story and will be updated. 

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Second person dies following Savannah mass shooting on Avery Street