Four Arrested After Gang-Related Shooting at Stephens County High School Basketball Game

STEPHENS COUNTY, Georgia – Four individuals have been arrested following a shots-fired incident in the parking lot of Stephens County High School during a basketball game on Tuesday night, February 10, 2026.

According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, two sporting events were underway when students reported that a firearm had been discharged multiple times in the student parking lot. School administrators and School Resource Officers immediately placed the campus on lockdown for approximately 30 minutes while deputies secured the area and confirmed there was no ongoing threat.

Investigators later determined the incident was gang-related. Students from Franklin, Stephens, and Hart counties were attending a game between Stephens County and Hart County High Schools when at least two individuals became involved in a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical altercation in the parking lot. During the fight, one individual allegedly fired approximately nine shots before fleeing the scene in a red Nissan Altima with a passenger.

Following search warrants and multiple interviews, authorities issued arrest warrants for 17-year-old Ja’Nareon Riley of Lavonia and 24-year-old Kyairre “Noodle” Thomas of Royston. Riley, who investigators say discharged the firearm, turned himself in at the Stephens County Jail around 12:30 p.m. on February 11. Thomas, identified as the driver, turned himself in later that evening at approximately 6:10 p.m. Both are confirmed to be affiliated with the Bloods criminal street gang.

Riley faces multiple charges, including two counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Discharging a Firearm on School Property, and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. He remains in jail without bond.

Thomas has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity. He also remains in custody without bond.

During the investigation, authorities determined there was probable cause to arrest 33-year-old Jalashe Gray of Lavonia for allegedly conspiring with her son, Riley, to conceal evidence. Gray was arrested on February 12 and charged with two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony for Hindering Prosecution and Tampering with Evidence. She was later released on a $20,000 bond.

On February 13, 17-year-old Tykerion Brown of Toccoa was taken into custody at Stephens County High School and initially charged with Obstructing Law Enforcement Officers. He was released on a $1,000 bond. After new information surfaced, Brown was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity. He was taken back into custody on February 17 and remains jailed pending a bond hearing.

The Sheriff’s Office credited assistance from multiple agencies, including the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Lavonia Police Department, Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, Hart County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Community Supervision, GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, GBI Metro Gang Task Force, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Stephens County District Attorney’s Office, and Stephens County High School administrators.

The investigation remains active. Sheriff Rusty Fulbright said investigators are committed to addressing and ending gang violence affecting students and families in the community.

Anyone with information regarding criminal street gang activity in Stephens County is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Division Tip Line at (706) 886-7048, use the Sheriff’s Office mobile app, or submit a tip through the GBI’s See Something, Send Something app.