Two Georgia gang members were charged with the murder of a former high school soccer star who was killed by a stray bullet while working at a bar more than a year ago.
Tsion Clayton, 23, and Kimone Green, 21, were charged with one count of malicious murder on Tuesday in the murder of 21, Brianna Long, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said. press release.
The suspicious murderers were already in custody for an unrelated case when investigators identified them as suspects of Long's death and issued an arrest warrant.
Authorities said one suspect was held in Georgia and the other in Florida.
Long, a student at Valdosta State University, had closed at the Remerton pier about 40 miles north of the Florida border when a fight outside the bar led to a shootout at about 2:30am on October 29, 2023.
She was attacked by a lost bullet inside the bar and rushed to South Georgia Medical Center, where she later died of injuries. Her colleague was also hit by a bullet, but survived.
The patrons were still outside the bar when the shooting erupted, and stray bullets also struck several vehicles during the shooting.
The GBI began investigating the day of the shooting after being killed for a long time.
Investigators believe the two killers are in an area looking for “another person related to an ongoing gang conflict” when the shot is fired.
The GBI said additional fees are expected to be filed as the incident progresses.
Long is a former standout soccer player at Paulding County High School and was named the Regional Winner of the Positive Athlete Georgia out of the 5,000 student-athletes nominated for the 2019-2020 Grade Awards.
She was expected to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene in May 2024 before she was killed.
Following the arrest, Long's mother, Brandi Spinks, sought prayers as the family survived “a very difficult time.”
“God answered our prayers, but we still have a long way ahead of us,” Spinks wrote on Facebook Wednesday.
Long's mother said Fox 5 Atlanta Her daughter was in “our world” shortly after her murder in 2023.
“She was an honor student in her little life as a cheerleader, Miss Paulding County,” Spinks said at the time.
“We just want to know why. We want to know why. And we want to make sure this person is not there anymore and take another innocent life.”
Spinks says “Brianna Long Foundation“To continue Brianna's legacy” in commemoration of her daughter.
The foundation is a charity dedicated to promoting dental care initiatives and providing access to dental services for underserved communities.
“We are tirelessly trying to carry on Brianna's legacy and make the most of a world where everyone has the opportunity to smile with confidence,” says the Charity Page. “Together, we can make a difference. One smile at a time.”
