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Mass School Shooting | Infant Beheaded | Hurricanes: GA Top News 2024

Gangway collapse kills 7 | Python sent to eat child | Rich Homie Quan dies | "Witch Doctor" rape | Laken Riley murder | Dozens of bodies

Amanda Lumpkin, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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GEORGIA — At the end of 2024, we present a year-in-review of Georgia's top stories and headlines.

Here's a roundup of some of the biggest and quirkiest stories from 2024 across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

Apalachee High School Shooting Kills 4

Two students and two teachers were killed, while multiple people were injured, after authorities say a 14-year-old gunman opened fire on Sept. 4 at Apalachee High School. Colt Gray and his father, who reportedly gave him the rifle allegedly used in the shooting, are facing murder charges. Gray will be tried as an adult.

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YSL's Young Thug Sentenced To 40 Years In Gang Trial

Mainstream Atlanta rapper Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams, who was one of 28 people to be indicted in an enormous gang and racketeering case, pled guilty to most charges brought against him by state prosecutors. A Georgia judge sentenced him to 40 years, allowing him to be released from jail with 15 years probation and a host of special conditions after he was incarcerated for more than two years.

Hurricanes Debby, Helene Rip Through GA

Georgia battled two deadly hurricanes, Debby and Helene, a little more than a month apart. The threatening storms claimed the lives of at least 26 people across the state and were responsible for flooding and thousands of power outages. Hurricane Milton had its eyes on Georgia but shifted to avoid the East Coast state.

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GA Elections Help Seal Trump's Victory, Returns Controversial DA To Office

In record numbers, voters returned former President Donald Trump to the presidential seat while keeping the district attorney prosecuting him in office. District Attorney Fani Willis went after Trump and several other top public figures in a racketeering case related to the 2020 presidential election. On Dec. 19, the Georgia Court of Appeals threw Willis' office off of the case due to an improper relationship with her special prosecutor. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the case, was also re-elected.

Convicted Murderer Sentenced To Life In Prison In Laken Riley's Killing

About nine months after Laken Riley was killed on the University of Georgia's campus, a Georgia judge sentenced Jose Ibarra to life in prison in connection with her death. Authorities said Riley died from asphyxiation.

Sapelo Island Gangway Collapses, Killing 7

The Marsh Landing Dock aluminum gangway crumbled during an Oct. 19 celebration, killing seven people and prompting an inspection. One of the people was a a chaplain for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia State Patrol.

Atlanta Mourns Death Of Famed Rapper Rich Homie Quan

Melodic Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan, whose real name is Dequantes Devontay Lamar, died from an accidental drug overdose on Sept. 5 at his Buckhead home. According to reports, fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine, promethazine and THC were all found in Lamar's system.

Missing GA Girl Taken To Ohio By Man She Met Online

The disappearance of Maria Gomez-Perez, 12, sparked a weeks-long search that received national attention. Authorities ultimately determined she used Facebook Messenger to contact the 34-year-old man accused of driving to Georgia to pick her up and returning to Ohio with her. Gomez-Perez was safely found, and the man faced charges in the case.

GA Men Sent Python To Eat Victim's Child Before Bombing Home: Attorney

Two men were charged after federal prosecutors said they released a large python into a person's home to eat their daughter before ultimately bombing their home. The duo was also accused of stalking the victim and mailing feces or dead rats to the person's Georgia home.

Decapitated Infant's Death At GA Hospital Ruled Homicide: Report

A Georgia couple sued the hospital, claiming a physician broke their baby's face, head and neck bones during the delivery. The death of the newborn was not reported to the local medical examiner's office until four days after it occurred. The couple claimed they were also not informed of what happened to their baby until about four days later.

Dozens Of Decomposed Bodies ID'ed After 18 Found At Funeral Home

While serving an eviction notice, a dozen bodies in various stages of decomposition were found at a Georgia funeral home. The funeral home's owner was arrested.

Bodycam Footage, 911 Call Released In Police Shooting Of Family Dog

Officers responding to a call fatally shot a family dog in front of three young children, prompting an internal review at the police department. Body camera footage was released in the incident, and the officers were able to work amid the ongoing review.

Mom Sentenced In Cult Killing Of Toddler Daughter

Chloe Driver, convicted of stabbing her 13-month-old daughter to death, was sentenced to life in prison in connection with the girl's death. The child's father tried to save her life but was unsuccessful.

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