Two of six suspects in Oglethorpe Mall shooting appear in court; Case advances to Superior Court

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - On Wednesday, a Savannah Police Detective confirmed what WTOC was first and only to report: the Oglethorpe Mall shooting began because of a confrontation between two groups, where someone’s neck was grabbed.

“Not a single one of these 6 children is guilty of murder, the fact is the state has done a massive overreach. The case is problematic because you got a shootout between 6 young people in the mall, nobody likes the sound of that, nobody does.”

Jonah Pine, attorney for Dahmil Johnson

In court, Judge Crystal Harmon found that there was sufficient probable cause to bind the two cases up to the Superior Court.

This ruling applies to 16-year-old Dahmil Johnson and 20-year-old Aujawan Hymon Jr. They are two of six people charged in the Oglethorpe Mall shooting.

Four other suspects had their hearings last week.

SEE: 4 of the 6 men charged in Oglethorpe Mall shooting appear in court

On Wednesday, Savannah police detectives testified that the mall shooting was a disagreement turned shootout between a group of 2, Theron Robbins and Dahmil Johnson, who were also walking around with another female minor.

Then in the group of 4 others was Johnathan Jones, Aujawan Hymon, Franklin James, and Royce Haynes.

Investigators said Robbins and Johnson initially walked past Jones, Hymon, Haynes, and James outside the store, Elevate.

The video then shows Robbins and Johnson turning back in the other direction, followed by the group of four.

The Detective said the group of 6 clashed from there.

“As Robbins and Johnson walk back towards group A, it appears from video footage that Royce Haynes makes a physical confrontation onto Theron Robbins,” said Det. Jessica Kruwel, with Savannah’s Police Major Crimes Division.

No evidence was presented that the incident was gang-related.

In Hymon’s case, detectives revealed he never fired any shots because he was shot in the hand, they allege, before he got the opportunity to.

Det. Kruwel testified Hymon ran to the back of the store and tossed a handgun with an extended magazine and switch into a trash can. Detectives also said Hymon lied in multiple interviews.

“He was hanging out with Jonathan Jones the night that we took him into custody,” said Kruwel. “We did a search warrant on Jonathan Jones’ car. There was a firearm registered to Aujawan Hymon’s father in that vehicle. His ID and license, and court papers were in Jonathan Jones’ vehicle. So, yes, when he lied to us about all of those other things, it gave us reason to believe that he was not just there as this innocent bystander.”

“There is no new basis to allege felony murder, other than he is just literally present at the scene,” argued Kaitlyn Walker, Hymon’s attorney.

In Johnson’s case, detectives said even while he was on the other side of the disagreement-- he was shot in the back during the confrontation and also went to the hospital.

Defense attorneys also debated the health of victim Tina Smith, who had a pacemaker prior to the shooting.

Video showed Smith in the food court at the time bullets went flying. She ran toward the nearest exit and fell.

She died the next day from cardiac issues.

The Medical Examiner ruled Smith’s manner of death a homicide.

On cross-examination, Attorney Jonah Pine challenged how far Smith was from the shooting itself.

“The fact is that the state is trying to do something that’s never been done in the state of GA,” said Pine. “This shooting wasn’t even in the zone of danger where Mrs. Smith was.”

Now, all six suspects are scheduled to have hearings on the same dates and times moving forward.