2 teens indicted in shooting death of teen visiting family in Savannah
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - [Update 2/26/2026] Franklin Leonard James Jr. and Terrance Devon Green Jr. have both been indicted on multiple felonies in connection to the death of Antonio ‘TJ’ Thornton Jr.
Both teens have been indicted on one count of malice murder, one count of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, one count of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and one count of possession of handgun by person under the age of 18 years.
Both are now 17 years old, James was 16 at the time of his arrest. Both are being held without bond in the Chatham County jail.
[Update 12/29/2025] A second arrest has been made in the death of Antonio ‘TJ’ Thornton Jr.
TJ was shot and killed two weeks ago, during a trip to Savannah, visiting family.
17-year-old Terrance Devon Green, of Pooler, was arrested today by law enforcement around 5 p.m. He was booked into the Chatham County Jail on charges of felony murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.
Green is being represented by Savannah attorney Boone Phillips. We did reach out for comment, but he did not wish to make one at this time.
[12/27/2025] An arrest has been made in the death of a teenager who was visiting family in Savannah from just north of Atlanta.
The GBI has arrested and charged Franklin Leonard James Jr., age 16, of Savannah, GA, with Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery, Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony, Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under the Age of 18.
James was booked into the Savannah Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) and is being charged as an adult.
Because of that, a mug shot will not be immediately available for James Jr.
James Jr. is charged with the murder of Antonio Thornton Jr., who was killed in Bloomingdale two weeks ago.
You can find GBI’s full release here: gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2025-12-27/gbi-investigates-death-bloomingdale-georgia
Antonio Thornton Jr., known to his family and friends as “TJ,” was visiting Bloomingdale from Gwinnett County when investigators say he was found shot outside in the complex. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
We interviewed Tj’s mother about the loss of her firstborn, her only son, and her best friend. You can find that interview here.
“He planned on going to school to be an engineer,” his mother, Tyesha Abdullah, said. “Now my baby can’t walk across the stage. He can’t go to school. He’s not going to get married. I’m never going to hear from my baby again.”
Today his family held a Graduation Homegoing Ceremony in his honor. Coverage of that ceremony will air tonight on WTOC at 6, 7, and 11 p.m.
In the meantime, a GoFundMe has been created to help cover the costs of TJ’s homegoing service. His mother says she is grateful for the overwhelming support the family has received.
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