3 arrested for gunplay outside skating rink

Thu, 06/07/2007 - 1:07pm
By: John Munford

Three Clayton County teens have been arrested after several gunshots were fired into the air late Sunday night following a graduation party at Dazzles Skating Rink in north Fayette County, police said.

Some of the rounds struck objects including one that shattered a vehicle window, coming inches from a person’s head, according to lead investigator Det. Josh Shelton of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

Fayetteville Police assisted by blocking the nearby entrance and exit to North 85 Parkway, and the suspects fled their vehicles to get rid of the weapons, police said.

Witnesses called 911 with tips on one of the suspects, leading Fayetteville police to the arrest of Dontez Elliott, 17, of College Park, for obstruction of a police officer, police said.

The investigation revealed that Elliott was one of three shooters and his weapon was later recovered, police said. The two others, Radarius Franklin, 18, of Riverdale and Davon Ezzard, 17, of College Park, were caught Wednesday by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, police said.

Franklin and Ezzard face charges of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by receiving stolen property, reckless conduct and other misdemeanor charges, police said.

Police were first called to the scene just before midnight when a 911 caller reported there was going to be trouble in the parking lot, police said.

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Submitted by Arf on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 10:22am.

This incident happened early Sunday, June 3. Apparently at least one of those arrested for the shootings at the skating rink has been arrested before...and recently...

Citizen, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, Arrest Reports:

"Wednesday, May 30-Thursday, May 31:

Dontez Rushawn Elliot, 17 of Forest Down Circle, College Park for obstruction of a police officer, aggravated assault and making terroristic threats."

muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 10:35am.

Is Dontez Rushawn Irish, perhaps?


Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 3:21pm.

Now wait a minute, I'm part Irish! Smiling


Submitted by Take back Fayette on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 11:26am.

for " bugle lipped mongrel" sorry, i couldn't resist

Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 1:06pm.

It is ok to criticize one's mannerisms and heritage that is incorrect, but something of an entirely different manner to criticize his looks, or the way he was born.
Are you saying ugly? Then if you are I expect many think you are.

TomDoniphon's picture
Submitted by TomDoniphon on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 11:10am.

I'm also pretty sure there are no Riverdales or College Parks in any of the 32 counties in Ireland.


Submitted by outtabounds6 on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 11:25am.

Guinness will make a man do crazy things.

Submitted by NinaLynn on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 8:04am.

Oh, and this is a surprise?

Submitted by thebeaver on Thu, 06/07/2007 - 4:18pm.

3 more punks off of the street that will now have arrest records. (If they didn't already) Great work FPD and all involved!

Submitted by IMNSHO on Thu, 06/07/2007 - 3:27pm.

FPD was first on scene, and I just want to say GREAT JOB to them! Because the Lt. was scanning the County's channel (the norm for FPD and TPD, but not PCPD), the Lt was already on her way to the area due to the "possible fight" info that was being given to the FCSO (the same info would've been given to FPD, but time did not allow for it before the shooting occurred). The FPD Lt. actually heard the gunshots, and was on the scene before the end of the first 911 call, preventing any vehicles from leaving. Other FPD units quickly joined the Lt, including the K9 unit.

When the County units arrived, both agencies worked together to figure out who did what, when, where, and how. When the 911 call came in about armed persons being at the Bowling Center, it was FPD officers who pursued them on foot, and actually took the suspects into custody and held them for the County.

All in all, in was great to see the two agencies working so well together. They both did a GREAT job.

I'd like to give a shout out to the citizens who called in to give the heads up, those who called when the shooting occurred, and especially the guy who called when he saw the armed subjects in the parking lot of the Bowling Center. That last caller, especially, led directly to the arrests and the recovery of the gun.

Most of the people in that area that night were minding their own business, not causing trouble. Most of them were cooperative with the officers during the investigation. With recent news reports in the AJC of the "no snitch" policy among certain groups, I am thankful that there are still some who will do the right thing.

Mixer's picture
Submitted by Mixer on Thu, 06/07/2007 - 3:35pm.

Great reporting there IMNSHO. Good work and coordination by the police and sheriff as well. I agree - thank you to the citizen who gave the 'tip'.

By the way, why doesn't the skating rink have to provide some off duty police for security inside and in the parking lot when they hold a large 'graduation' party?

Thanks for the info!

strong>Democrats on Iraq before the polls changed


Submitted by IMNSHO on Thu, 06/07/2007 - 3:39pm.

They don't "have" to, but I do think they should. Maybe after this they'll reconsider that. I say, add the cost to the party fee!

ilockemup's picture
Submitted by ilockemup on Thu, 06/07/2007 - 2:55pm.

Deja Vu on the Stockbridge Killings....this is just like the gunplay at the recent Stockbridge graduation party. The only difference is that we were fortunately spared fatalities.

And at a skating rink ? Folks we are in trouble. If could have been our innocent children killed while merely attending a skating rink.

And let me guess----- Radarius, Davon and Dontez--- they must be exchange students from Ireland.

Fayette County is already in the crapper. Carolyn Cary should rename her good series on Fayette Sheriffs "The Good Ole Days When Criminals Feared Fayette County".


Submitted by skyspy on Thu, 06/07/2007 - 4:20pm.

Gee with names like those I thought for sure they were from Sweden.

Why can't we put up razor wire between our county and clayton and be done with it. Line the fence with sharp shooters. Is that too much to ask?

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