A second suspected killer in connection with the death of a Georgia high school football player pleaded not guilty last week, while the victim’s parents announced a civil lawsuit filing against multiple defendants.
Fox News Digital reports that 18-year-old Elijah DeWitt was shot and killed in October last year, in the parking lot of the Dave & Buster’s at Sugarloaf Mall, in Lawrenceville. Police arrested Kemare Bryan, 18, and Chandler Richardson, 19, a few days later in South Carolina. They’re facing murder and related charges.
Bryan pleaded not guilty last month in Gwinnett County, while Richardson pleaded not guilty late last week.
On Friday, Elijah’s parents, Craig and Dawn DeWitt, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Sugarloaf Mall owner, Simon Property Group LP. The lawsuit named the security director for Sugarloaf Mills’ Dave & Buster’s Jason Choy, as a defendant, along with Universal Protective Service LLC.
The lawsuit said that due to the ongoing violence at the establishment, the defendants “knew of the dangerous and hazardous conditions,” that “were likely to result in injuries and/or death to their invitees, including Elijah.”
“The cameras at my home are better than the cameras that were there. We’ll do what we can to make sure no one else feels this way,” Dawn Dewitt told WSB-TV. “And we want to make him proud.”
The lawsuit claims that Elijah was likely the victim of a botched robbery. The suspects are accused of confronting Elijah in Dave & Buster’s parking lot while he was out on a date with his girlfriend.
It’s unclear if the suspects knew the victim, but Elijah’s mother previously told WSB-TV that she thinks the incident was random.
Elijah was a “two-time Athens Banner-Herald and OnlineAthens.com All-Area Football Team member,” the Athens-Banner Herald reports. He also had a scholarship offer from Arkansas State.
“Elijah had his whole life ahead of him,” Alex Brown, an attorney with the Rafi Law Firm, said during a Friday press conference.
“He was just beginning his senior year of high school and was set to continue his football career at the next level when his life was cut short on October 5th. This incident was entirely preventable and should not have happened. It is our intention to hold the defendants responsible for this tragedy and obtain justice for Elijah’s family.”
Both suspects remain behind bars without bail. They’re facing charges of:
- Felony Murder
- Malice Murder
- Aggravated Assault
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Elijah DeWitt/Family Handout]
