Athens Clarke County Cast: Real-Time Crime Center Launch and Gang Violence Crackdown

Hello and welcome to the Athens-Clarke County Cast, one of Feedspot’s Top 20 Georgia News Podcasts. I'm Melissa Carter. Here are your top stories brought to you by Drake Realty:

**Athens News

Real-Time Crime Center Initiative** In the wake of the tragic murder of nursing student Laken Riley, Athens-Clarke County Police are developing a real-time crime center. Lt. Jody Thompson emphasized that such tragedies necessitate community action. This new center will integrate surveillance footage from apartments, businesses, and body cameras, with plans to include University of Georgia’s campus. Impressively, it has already helped solve the murder of Cameron Manago in under 12 hours. The expansion continues, with more camera registrations needed from residents and businesses.

**Gang and Murder Charges in Toddler's Death** Four suspects have been indicted on gang and murder charges following the shooting death of 3-year-old Kyron Zarco in Athens. In what police describe as a gang-related incident, Kyron was killed on March 8th, and his 9-year-old brother was injured at a mobile home park. Julian Cubillos, Jayden Brown, Dakious Echols, and Desmontrez Mathis, members of the "Everybody Eats" gang, face multiple serious charges. Since July 2022, authorities have indicted at least 21 individuals in gang-related cases. Police Chief Jerry Saulters commended his department’s swift response and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting gun and gang violence.

**Body Found Near Homeless Camp** Authorities are working to identify a decomposed body found Sunday in a wooded area off North Avenue in Athens-Clarke County. Discovered near the former site of a homeless camp adjacent to the Georgia Division of Family Services, Coroner Sonny Wilson suggests the man may have been deceased for over a month. With no identification papers found, the cause of death remains unknown. The body has been sent to the State Crime Lab for further examination.

Join us as we delve into these stories and more on the latest episode of the Athens-Clarke County Cast. Stay informed and stay safe!

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Episode Transcript

S1 (00:01):
From the Athens Tech Studios, this is the Athens Clark
County cast, covering the latest stories that affect you in
and around Athens. Now let's give you our top stories.

S2 (00:16):
Hello and welcome to the Athens-Clarke County cast. That's our
new name. Athens-Clarke County cast one of Feed Spot's top
20 Georgia news podcast. I'm Melissa Carter, and I appreciate
you being patient with me today as I've suffered from
laryngitis this week. But we're going to get you your
top stories, brought to you by Drake Realty. Well, Athens-Clarke
County Police are building a real time crime center following

(00:37):
the tragic murder of nursing student Larkin Riley. Lieutenant Jody
Thompson explained that tragedies like this shape the community and
call us to action. The new center connects surveillance cameras
from apartments, businesses and body cameras and hopes to include
University of Georgia's campus. The center already aided in solving
the murder of Cameron Manago in under 12 hours. The

(00:57):
expansion continues, needing more camera registrations from residents and businesses.
This from Atlanta news first. Four suspects have been indicted
on gang and murder charges in the shooting death of
a three year old in Athens. Kyron Zarco was killed
on March 8th in what police say was a gang
related shooting at a mobile home park. His nine year
old brother was also injured. Julian Cubillos, Jaden Brown, Nicholas

(01:20):
Echols and Domantas Mathis, members of the Everybody Eats gang,
faced multiple charges, including malice murder and aggravated assault. Since
July 2022, authorities have indicted at least 21 people in
gang related cases. Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Salters praised
the swift action of his department and emphasized their commitment
to combating gun and gang violence in the community. This,

(01:43):
from WSB authorities in Athens-Clarke County, are working to identify
a body found Sunday in a wooded area off North Avenue.
The body was discovered near the former site of a
homeless camp adjacent to the Georgia Division of Family Services
was significantly decomposed. Coroner Sonny Wilson stated the man could
have been deceased for over a month. No identification papers

(02:04):
were found on the body and the cause of death
remains unknown. The body has been sent to the state
crime lab for forensic examination. This from the Athens Banner-herald.

S1 (02:13):
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S3 (02:24):
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(02:45):
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(03:06):
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S1 (03:19):
Achieve more with Athens Tech at Athens Technical College. Their
programs can connect you with in-demand and high paying careers.

S4 (03:28):
I graduated from Athens Tech in May and started my
job two weeks later. I had the job before I left,
thanks to my professor and just focusing on growing a career.

S1 (03:38):
As far as Athens Tech, I think I've been a
member of the advisory panel for ten years now, and
it's been it's been an awesome experience.

S5 (03:49):
I've currently going to Athens Tech. I started out as
an accounting major. I've finished all my accounting classes and
then switched over to the culinary and baking program.

S6 (04:01):
My name is Alex Lang. I'm an electromechanical engineering student.
This is my second year at Athens Tech and I
graduate in December. The long term goal is to work
for the railroad, whether that be Norfolk Southern or CSX.

S1 (04:15):
Achieve more with Athens Tech, find out more at Athens Techedu.

S2 (04:23):
From Wsb's Facebook page. Prosecutors will not seek the death
penalty against a man accused of killing Lincoln Riley. Ted
Reichard said he crushed her skull with a rock so
badly she was barely recognizable due to the brutality of
this crime. He deserves the death penalty, Daniel Williams said.
So he beats that poor girl's skull in, and now
they don't want the death penalty. Our world is so

(04:43):
backwards and upside down now, Chip Anderson said. And the
Clark County DA's office will blow the case, too. And
Samantha Brett said, I don't care if he was a
legal citizen, illegal or an actual alien from a different universe.
You kill someone, you deserve the death penalty. Athens-Clarke County
Mayor Kelly Girtz cast tie breaking votes to allocate nearly
$2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to a

(05:06):
workforce development program called Athens Achieves. This initiative, led by
the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, aims to create a
skilled workforce pipeline by linking local businesses, educational institutions and
the government. Despite some commissioners pushing for a delay to
consider another local workforce initiative, Girtz emphasized the need to
proceed without hindering progress. Athens Achieves will use the funding

(05:29):
to hire a chief workforce officer and develop an online
jobs portal. This from the Athens Banner-herald. In sports from
ESPN and the red and black UGA baseball takes part
in the NCAA Super Regional against North Carolina State University today.
It begins at noon and you can cheer on the
Bulldogs at Foley Field. It's free for UGA students, $15

(05:49):
for general admission. And finally, Athens-Clarke County Manager Blaine Williams
will step down on July 12th, ending over seven years
as the county's top administrator. Williams, who served as the
assistant manager since 2013, announced his resignation during Wednesday night's
commission meeting. The resignation, added late to the agenda, was
accepted unanimously after a closed door executive session discussing personnel matters.

(06:13):
Some commissioners expressed reluctance but ultimately honored Williams decision. This
from the Athens Banner-herald. Are you looking.

S1 (06:19):
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You'll call on local and regional businesses selling the podcast,

(06:40):
adding to our list of great sponsors, earn extra money
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for listening to the Athens-Clarke County cast, and don't forget
to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! This podcast is a.

S7 (07:00):
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S1 (07:06):
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(07:26):
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(08:07):
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