Arrest Made in Downtown Athens Triple Shooting

One killed, two others critically injured in early morning incident

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:22pm

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Three people were shot, with one fatality, in a downtown Athens parking lot early Saturday morning. Police have arrested 22-year-old Mark Desousa of Jefferson and charged him with malice murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery.

Why it matters

This is the second high-profile shooting incident in downtown Athens in recent months, raising concerns about public safety in the city's entertainment district. The mayor has vowed that the perpetrator will be swiftly brought to justice.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a call about a shooting in a parking lot on Jackson Street between Hancock Avenue and Dougherty Street around 2:20 a.m. on Saturday. They found three victims, one of whom, 22-year-old Hull resident Clayton Adams, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two victims are in critical condition at a local hospital. Authorities say none of the victims were affiliated with the University of Georgia.

  • The shooting occurred around 2:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • Suspect Mark Desousa was booked into jail at 4:14 p.m. on March 14, 2026.

The players

Mark Desousa

A 22-year-old resident of Jefferson, Georgia, who has been charged with malice murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery in connection with the shooting.

Clayton Adams

A 22-year-old resident of Hull, Georgia, who was killed in the shooting.

Kelly Girtz

The mayor of Athens, Georgia, who issued a statement condemning the violence and vowing that the perpetrator will be brought to justice.

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What they’re saying

“We mourn the victims of last night's shooting in Athens. Every episode of violence brings ripples of pain and diminishes us all. Know for certain, though, that if you bring violence to Athens, you will be caught quickly in this case, in which the suspect is now in custody. Immense thanks to ACCPD and partners for your quick work.”

— Kelly Girtz, Mayor

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to grant bail for suspect Mark Desousa.

The takeaway

This shooting is the second high-profile violent incident in downtown Athens in recent months, underscoring the need for the city to address public safety concerns in its entertainment district and work to prevent further acts of violence.