Convicted felon indicted in 2022 killing of man at Savannah apartments

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Julian Bryant, 42, was indicted this week on malice murder, felony murder, and gun charges in connection with the December 2022 shooting death of Marvin Swan at the Waters at Gateway Apartments.

See previous coverage: www.wtoc.com/2022/12/12/one-person-killed-gateway-blvd-shooting-savannah/

Bryant wasn’t arrested for nearly 4 years after Swan’s death.

The indictment charges Bryant with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a crime.

The indictment alleges Bryant shot Swan with a 9mm handgun on Dec. 11, 2022. The possession by a convicted felon charges stem from a 2006 felony armed robbery conviction in Chatham County, according to the indictment.

He spent 11 years in prison for that armed robbery conviction.

The original shooting

Savannah Police responded to the Waters at Gateway Apartments, located near I-95 and Georgia 204, after receiving a call around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2022, about a disorderly person.

Officers arrived and found Swan, 40, outside apartment building 200 with gunshot wounds. He later died from his injuries, and the case was opened as a homicide investigation.

Girlfriend’s account

Swan’s longtime girlfriend, who did not go on camera, said she was inside their shared apartment at the Gateway Apartments when she heard what sounded like fireworks.

She said she began calling Swan and that a bystander eventually answered his phone and told her where he was.

She said she went outside and found Swan on the ground near the leasing office, where he appeared to have been shot three or four times.

Swan’s girlfriend said she had no idea who would want to hurt him. She said she dated Swan for more than a decade and described feeling unsafe and devastated following his death.

Now that he’s been indicted, his arraignment will take place in court next. He does have a bond hearing scheduled for December 1st, and has previously been denied bond.