Grand jury indicts former Dave’s Hot Chicken employee in fatal Victory Drive shooting

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A grand jury has indicted 18-year-old Jakobie Johnson on multiple charges in the April 3rd shooting death of 21-year-old Najeh Williams outside Dave’s Hot Chicken on Victory Drive.

Johnson was indicted this week on malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The indictment alleges Johnson shot Williams with a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine.

Johnson’s arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 3, where he will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

Details from preliminary hearing

Court testimony from a May preliminary hearing revealed officers were initially responding to a shoplifting call at Whole Foods across the street when they heard rapid gunfire coming from Dave’s Hot Chicken.

Officers found Williams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the restaurant. Witnesses alerted officers that the suspected shooter was walking near the building wearing a yellow cap. Police detained Johnson without incident.

Savannah Police Detective Damien Papa with the department’s homicide unit testified that multiple eyewitnesses said 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.

“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 recovered more than 20 shell casings from the scene. Preliminary autopsy findings showed Williams sustained more than 50 defects to his body from gunfire.

Workplace dispute preceded shooting

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.

Johnson then clocked out and left the restaurant.

Williams’ cousin later called him to vent about the argument, and Williams drove to the restaurant to check on her well-being and drive her home. About 10 to 15 minutes passed between the confrontation inside the restaurant and the shooting outside.

Detectives testified that Williams had no weapons on him at the time he was killed.

Evidence and investigation

The firearm recovered at the scene was identified in court as a Palmetto State Armory Dagger 9mm handgun.

Detectives testified the weapon’s magazine was empty and the slide was locked back when recovered. All shell casings appeared consistent with the recovered firearm based on preliminary findings.

Surveillance footage from inside the restaurant and from cameras mounted outside the shopping center allegedly showed Johnson walking away after the shooting and tossing the gun underneath a nearby vehicle before officers detained him.

The actual shooting itself was not captured on video.

According to Detective Papa, Johnson allegedly made an incriminating statement while sitting inside a patrol vehicle after being detained.

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.

Family remembers victim

Williams’ parents, Jennitra and Walter Blount, described their son as a “gentle giant” who was raised in the church and was extremely family-oriented.

“He came into this world, and he brought so much joy. He was such a playful child and full of energy, and he just loved everybody,” Jennitra Blount said.

Williams had just gotten the keys to his first apartment on the day he was killed. His parents said he had planned to celebrate the whole weekend.

“He was excited—this was his next step. He was excited to move into his apartment. He had already planned to celebrate the whole weekend. He was really looking forward to it,” his mother said.

His parents said Williams was active in school and different sports, won numerous awards, and had appeared on television for school recognition and speaking engagements.

“My son was not a street individual. He was what we call a gentle giant. He may have looked a certain way, but he was nothing but a big old bag of jelly—that was his character,” his parents said.

His mother said Williams would never be involved with people who have guns.

“The world was blessed to have him in it, and I feel like now at this point in time the world has been robbed of an opportunity to get to know one awesome young man,” she said.

Family calls for change

Through their grief, Williams’ parents are speaking out and hoping their son’s story leads to change.

“I hope that somebody wakes up, and I know it’s not going to just start or end with my child, because I’m passionate because that was my child... But what about the other people who have lost their lives to senseless gun violence? When is enough enough?” Jennitra Blount said.

“My son’s life mattered. It matters now, and it’s going to matter tomorrow. And for someone to destroy something that matters—it was cold-hearted. I just hope justice is served for my son,” she said.