Over a year after Georgia college student Brianna Long killed while working at a bar, men are charged
Tsion Clayton, 23, and Kimone Green, 21, both of Lowndes County, Georgia, have been charged with one count of malice murder in connection with the death of Brianna Long on Oct. 29, 2023, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced last week.
Long, a 21-year-old bartender at The Pier, in Remerton, Georgia, and other employees were closing the bar down and had stopped serving customers when there was a shooting outside after what authorities described as an "altercation."
Long and another bar staffer were struck by gunfire, authorities said. Long was taken to South Georgia Medical Center, where she later died. Her coworker recovered from his wounds. Agents believe Clayton and Green were in the area "looking for another person related to an ongoing gang dispute" when the shots were fired.
Three months after the shooting, authorities offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
The GBI said its agents and the Remerton Police Department had worked for more than year investigating the shooting and eventually identified Clayton and Green as suspects. Both men are in custody for separate, unrelated cases -- one in Georgia and the other in Florida.
Clayton and Green are among seven people charged in a 44-count racketeering indictment, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced on Thursday. The suspects are accused of being involved in a gang called 528, which has been linked to murder, robbery, assault and more.
"Most of the murders that have recently occurred in Valdosta (a city near Remerton) over the past couple of years have been gang-related," Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Bradfield M. Shealy said in a statement, according to CBS affiliate WANF. "This gang violence has resulted in a number of deaths, including Brianna Long. Gang violence does not just affect gang members but also innocent members of our community."
Long's obituary described her as a "bright light in the lives of all who had the pleasure of knowing her." Long graduated Paulding County High School in 2020 and was on track to graduate from Valdosta State University with a degree in dental hygiene.
"She was crowned Miss PCHS for superlatives, a testament to her outward beauty, charismatic persona, and the deep connections she formed with her peers," her obituary read.
Her family told WSB-TV in 2023 that Long was a lifeguard as well as a high school soccer star and cheerleader.
"There was not a fun time that we did not have with Brianna," her uncle Kevin Long told the station. "She was always making everyone smile."
A GoFundMe to support the family has raised more than $25,000.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the case is still active and anyone with information on the shooting can call the GBI at 229-225-4090.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
8 hours ago
- New York Post
Hero cyclist, 28, killed shielding mom and children from knife-wielding madman at California train station
A beloved cyclist was allegedly stabbed to death by a knife-wielding madman after heroically stepping in to protect a mother and her children who were being harassed at a California train station. Colden Kimber, 28, was waiting at a Muni stop in San Francisco with his girlfriend on July 26 when a ranting lunatic approached a terrified family and hurled unhinged threats that prompted the 6-foot-4 New York native to courageously intervene, according to court documents obtained by KGO. 'Oh, you think you are better than me,' alleged assailant Sean Collins, 29, screamed at the mother and her two children at the Ingleside transit hub, adding, 'You are scared of me.' 5 Colden Kimber, 28, was killed on July 26 when a knife-wielding madman allegedly stabbed him in the neck. Gofundme Kimber, heading home from a lunch date, positioned himself between the frightened family and Collins when the frenzied attacker plunged a six-inch blade into the unsuspecting man's neck as he glanced toward an approaching train, court documents said. The San Francisco State University student and avid cyclist stopped moving after the 'completely and utterly unprovoked attack' as blood gushed out of his neck, officials said. 5 Police said the knifing happened at a Muni stop in Ingleside. ABC7 The Dryden native was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he died following surgery, according to a GoFundMe launched by his heartbroken mother. 'There is no making sense of this and no words to convey the devastation we are feeling,' his mom, Lara Litchfield-Kimber, wrote in the fundraiser, which has since amassed over $91,000. 'He had this protective thing about him,' the grief-stricken mom told WSYR, noting her son was endearingly nicknamed a 'country moose.' 5 Police said the deadly incident was captured on surveillance camera. ABC7/Pakwan Restaurant A blood-stained Collins was arrested and charged with murder after being found just blocks from the deadly scene, where the horrific knifing was captured on surveillance cameras, according to local reports. Kimber was studying kinesiology, the science of human movement, and working at American Cyclery, where he had spent the past three years repairing and building bikes, when he was ruthlessly killed. 'I'm going to miss him for his good nature and his kind spirit, and he really lived such an exemplary life,' Bradley Woehl, owner of American Cyclery, told KGO. 5 Clothing and a shoe were left behind at the San Francisco stop where Kimber stepped in to help a terrified family. ABC7 'He was a very positive influence on myself and my staff. He is totally irreplaceable as a worker, and totally irreplaceable as a friend and person and someone who had a good influence on my life.' Kimber's love for cycling began when he took his mother's place in the New York Triathlon after she was forced to withdraw while battling breast cancer, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. 'He had never ridden a bike on a road,' Litchfield-Kimber told the outlet. 5 Kimber, a student at San Francisco State University, was an avid cyclist. Gofundme 'The bikes were the things that stuck. People would say, 'I had a Colden sighting,' because it wasn't that rare because he was always on his bike.' A memorial bike ride has since been scheduled in Kimber's honor on Sept. 7. Collins is due back in court for his arraignment on Aug. 14.
New York Post
16 hours ago
- New York Post
Fundraiser for Virginia Councilman Lee Vogler after sickening arson attack soars
A fundraiser to support Virginia City Councilman Lee Vogler, who was severely burned when he attacked by a maniac this week, has topped $50,000. The GoFundMe set up by friends and family of the 38-year-old Danville Republican and father of two has raised $55,741 as of Sunday morning — with a goal of $100,000. 'On July 30, 2025, our friend, husband, father, and community leader Lee Vogler was the victim of a horrific and senseless act of violence,' reads the appeal from Andrew Brooks, the publisher of Showcase Magazine, where Vogler also works. 'An individual entered his workplace at Showcase Magazine—where Lee serves as Director of Marketing—and set him on fire,' Brooks said. Advertisement 'Lee sustained second- and third-degree burns over more than half his body and is currently in stable but critical condition at the UNC Chapel Hill Burn Clinic. 4 A fundraiser for badly wounded Virginia City Councilman Lee Vogler has reached $55,000. AP 'His wife, Blair, and their children are by his side as he begins what will be a long, painful, and uncertain recovery. He faces multiple surgeries, an extended hospital stay, and months—if not years—of rehabilitation.' Advertisement After a swell in support and donations in the first 24 hours of the appeal, Brooks gave an update thanking people for their support as Vogler begins his difficult recovery. 'The generosity and love we've seen has been overwhelming, and it's making a real difference,' he said. 4 The appeal was set up by Vogler's family and friends. Gofundme Blair Vogler, Lee's wife, also thanked the public for their generosity. Advertisement 'Our family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we've received in just 24 hours. We are deeply grateful for your prayers, messages, and generosity during this incredibly difficult time,' she wrote. 4 Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, allegedly poured a 5-gallon bucket of gasoline over Vogler before setting him alight. Danville VA Police Department 'Knowing our community is standing with us means more than words can express, and it has given us strength when we need it most. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.' The crazed arsonist who allegedly dumped a 5-gallon bucket of gasoline over Vogler at his work office and then set him on fire has been identified by cops as 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes. Advertisement 4 The attack took place at Vogler's office in Danville, Va. AP His senseless alleged actions stem from a personal matter not related to Vogler's political position and affiliation, authorities said — without revealing the exact motive. Hayes has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding, the Danville Police Department said in a statement on Facebook. He is being held without bond at the Danville City Jail, and the investigation is ongoing.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Virginia city Councilman Lee Vogler faces ‘long, painful and uncertain recovery' after being set on fire in sadistic attack
The Virginia city councilman who was set ablaze by a maniac in a ruthless personal attack faces a 'long, painful and uncertain recovery' as he remains hospitalized with gruesome burns covering more than half his body. Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, is currently in stable but critical condition at UNC Burn Clinic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, according to a GoFundMe launched by the Republican lawmaker's boss. 'His wife, Blair, and their children are by his side as he begins what will be a long, painful, and uncertain recovery,' Andrew Brooks, publisher of Showcase Magazine, the monthly outlet where Vogler works as director of marketing, wrote on the online fundraising page. 'He faces multiple surgeries, an extended hospital stay, and months – if not years – of rehabilitation.' 4 Danville Councilman Lee Vogler is in stable but critical condition. Danville Virginia Gov Brooks said Danville's youngest-ever councilman will be out of work for the foreseeable future following the horrific Wednesday morning attack at the magazine's offices, which has left Vogler's two children deeply traumatized. 4 GoFundMe page for Lee Vogler's recovery, showing $51,444 raised of a $100,000 goal. gofundme The four-term councilman suffered second- and third-degree burns covering up to 60% of his body, mostly on his torso, after alleged assailant Shotsie Michale Buck Hayes barged into Vogler's workplace, drenched him with a five-gallon jug of fuel, chased him outside and then torched him. Vogler, who was elected to Danville's city council in May 2012 at age 24, identified his attacker at the scene — which the 29-year-old accused arsonist fled shortly after lighting the pol on fire. 4 Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes was charged with first-degree attempted murder and aggravated malicious wounding. Danville VA Police Department Hayes, who was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding, allegedly confessed to the sadistic attack, telling police 'it was his intention to kill' Vogler, according to a criminal complaint obtained by ABC. Police said the attack was not politically motivated, but was sparked by an undisclosed personal matter. Vogler's distressed wife, Blair, said her 'fighter' husband is facing his recovery with 'courage, determination, and an unbreakable spirit.' 4 The personal attack erupted at Vogler's workplace. WSET 'Our family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we've received in just 24 hours,' she said in a statement on the GoFundMe, which raised more than $50,000 to support Vogler's medical bills a day after it was created. 'We are deeply grateful for your prayers, messages, and generosity during this incredibly difficult time,' she wrote. 'Knowing our community is standing with us means more than words can express, and it has given us strength when we need it most. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.'
