Court testimony reveals details in fatal Victory Drive shooting outside restaurant that claimed young man’s life

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -New testimony and evidence were laid out in court Thursday during the preliminary hearing for Jakobie Johnson, the former Dave’s Hot Chicken employee accused of shooting and killing Najeh Williams outside the restaurant on Victory Drive.

Savannah Police Detective Damien Papa with the department’s homicide unit testified officers were initially responding to a separate shoplifting call at the Whole Foods across the street on April 3rd.

That’s when they suddenly heard rapid gunfire coming from Dave’s Hot Chicken.

When officers rushed across the street, they found Williams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the business.

Witnesses quickly alerted officers that the suspected shooter was walking near the building wearing a yellow cap.

Police testified officers drew their weapons, gave verbal commands, and detained the suspect without incident. That suspect was identified as Jakobie Johnson.

According to investigators, multiple eyewitnesses who were in the parking lot at the time, told police Williams had been standing outside vaping when Johnson exited the restaurant through a side door.

Witnesses said the victim approached Johnson as if he was going to speak with him, before Johnson allegedly pulled out a firearm and began shooting.

Detective Papa testified one witness saw Johnson continued firing even after Williams fell to the ground, as he stood over top of him.

“One of the witnesses also indicated that after the initial few shots, the defendant actually stood over the victim and proceeded to keep shooting him,” Detective Papa testified.

Investigators said officers recovered more than 20 shell casings from the scene. Detectives also testified that preliminary autopsy findings showed Williams sustained more than 50 defects to his body from gunfire.

You can hear from the victim’s family here:

The firearm recovered at the scene was identified in court as a Palmetto State Armory Dagger nine-millimeter handgun. Detectives testified the weapon’s magazine was empty and the slide was locked back when recovered.

Police also testified all shell casings appeared consistent with the recovered firearm based on preliminary findings.

Investigators obtained surveillance footage from inside the restaurant and from cameras mounted outside the shopping center.

Detectives testified the actual shooting itself was not captured on video, but footage allegedly showed Johnson walking away afterward and tossing the gun underneath a nearby vehicle before officers detained him.

The firearm was later recovered by police. Detectives testified DNA testing has been submitted, but official results are still pending.

According to testimony, Johnson was an employee at Dave’s Hot Chicken and had gotten into a verbal altercation inside the restaurant with Williams’ female cousin, who also worked there.

Investigators said the argument centered around work-related responsibilities. Detectives testified that Johnson repeatedly called the woman derogatory names during the dispute before the restaurant manager intervened and separated them.

Police said Johnson then clocked out and left the restaurant.

Detectives testified that Williams’ cousin later called him to vent about the argument, and Williams drove to the restaurant to check on her well-being.

According to investigators, about 10 to 15 minutes passed between the confrontation inside the restaurant and the shooting outside.

The defense also questioned investigators extensively about witness interviews and body camera footage.

Detective Papa testified that Officer Dillard, the first officer to arrive, had an active body camera throughout the response, and all eyewitness statements were captured separately on body-worn cameras.

Investigators testified there were two separate groups of eyewitnesses at the scene, one family consisting of a mother, father, and son, and another couple.

Detectives also testified that Williams was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

During testimony, investigators revealed Johnson allegedly made an incriminating statement while sitting inside a patrol vehicle after being detained. According to Detective Papa, another detective asked Johnson why he was in the police car, and Johnson allegedly responded that he had “shot that boy.”

Police later attempted to formally interview Johnson at the Savannah Police Central Precinct. Detectives testified that Johnson signed a Miranda waiver form, but investigators ultimately chose not to conduct a formal interview because they believed he did not fully comprehend his rights.

Detectives also testified that Johnson did not attempt to flee or resist arrest and complied with all commands given by officers.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge ruled there was sufficient probable cause for charges, including murder and aggravated assault.

The case will now move forward to Chatham County Superior Court.