Suspects in Savannah Mall Shooting Appear in Court, Await Trial

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

All six suspects accused in the deadly shooting at Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah, Georgia last July appeared in court this week as their case moves toward trial. The shooting resulted in nearly $40,000 in property damage and the death of one woman, Tina Smith, who suffered a fatal heart attack while fleeing the scene. The suspects, Dahmil Johnson, Theron Robbins Jr, Jonathan Jones, Aujawan Hymon, Royce Hayned and Franklin James, are facing a 71-count indictment that alleges the shooting stemmed from gang-related activity. Their attorneys are working to exclude any gang-related evidence from the upcoming trial.

Why it matters

This high-profile shooting incident has raised concerns about public safety and gang violence in the Savannah community. The suspects' attorneys are working to limit the impact of the gang-related evidence, which could shape the outcome of the trial and have broader implications for how such cases are prosecuted in the future.

The details

The six suspects appeared in court this week as their case moves toward trial. Prosecutors are still waiting on ballistic reports and other evidence from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which they say will take around 10 more weeks to process. The suspects' attorneys have filed a number of motions, including attempts to exclude gang-related testimony and evidence, as well as challenges to the medical examiner's findings on the cause of victim Tina Smith's death.

• The shooting occurred on July 2, 2026.
• The suspects appeared in court this week.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge has set a date for the legal counsel to have all the evidence and records in place, which is expected to take around 10 more weeks. The case will then return to court for further proceedings.