Ellis Square shooting suspect pleads guilty; 5 others await trial
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The youngest of six suspects charged in the 2024 Ellis Square mass shooting took a guilty plea Tuesday, while the five remaining defendants await a trial now expected to begin in January.
Cazare Cooper, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault. He will serve two years in prison followed by eight years on probation. Cooper’s plea removes him from the upcoming trial.
The May 2024 shooting
The mass shooting occurred May 18, 2024, in the Ellis Square area of downtown Savannah. Gunfire erupted just before midnight, wounding 10 people. All 10 survived. Since the shooting the city has upgraded technology like ai facial recognition software that can track individuals through police body cameras.
The remaining defendants
All six suspects, including Cooper, faced aggravated assault and firearms charges. Three of the defendants — Samira Kenny, Ericque Street and Jacorey Porter — are convicted felons and were charged accordingly. The five remaining suspects have been denied bond and remain in jail as their cases move forward.
Trial timeline
Both sides must submit all evidence by this coming Monday. The following court dates have been set:
- Aug. 28 — Status conference
- Oct. 6 — Motion hearing
- Nov. 20 — Status conference
- Jan. 11 — Pre-trial conference
- Jan. 19 — Jury selection and trial begin
Our previous coverage reveals William Mitchell was out on bond for drug charges at the time of the shooting.
Cazare Cooper was out on bond for a gun charge at the time. Samira Kenny was released from jail recently before. Jacorey Porter was released from jail recently before the shooting as well.
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