Father, Son and Juvenile Charged After Drive-By Shooting Linked to Threatening Text Messages

STEPHENS COUNTY, Ga. — A late-night exchange of gunfire at a residence in Martin, Georgia, has led to charges against a father, his teenage son and a juvenile, as investigators say the incident stemmed from escalating threats made through group messages.

Deputies with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched around 12:26 a.m. April 27 to a home on Tower Road after reports of threats. Authorities had received prior information from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office indicating that 36-year-old Daniel Wilbanks was allegedly traveling to the residence to confront a juvenile male.

When deputies arrived, they made contact with the juvenile, who said he had been part of a group text message thread in which multiple individuals threatened to come to his home and kill him. According to investigators, a vehicle later approached the residence and gunfire was exchanged between the occupants of the vehicle and the juvenile.

During a search of the scene, deputies recovered a spent shotgun shell and multiple 9mm shell casings from the roadway and surrounding area. Investigators said the casings were consistent with a firearm later recovered by Franklin County deputies at the Wilbanks residence.

Authorities identified Daniel Wilbanks and his 17-year-old son, Malaki Wilbanks, as suspects in what investigators described as a drive-by shooting. Digital evidence collected at the Wilbanks residence reportedly contained threatening messages connected to the incident.

Later that afternoon, investigators conducted a follow-up interview with the juvenile involved. Officials said inconsistencies in his account led to further scrutiny, and he was ultimately arrested and charged with aggravated assault and criminal damage to property. He was transported to a Regional Youth Detention Center.

On April 28, Daniel and Malaki Wilbanks were arrested by Franklin County deputies on warrants issued by Stephens County. Both were transported to the Stephens County Jail and charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

The following day, both suspects appeared before a magistrate judge and were released on $25,000 bond.

Investigators said the case is part of a broader pattern of recent incidents involving group prank calls and threatening messages circulating in the community. Authorities warned that such behavior can quickly escalate into dangerous and criminal situations.

“We are thankful that no one was physically harmed during this incident,” said Sheriff Rusty Fulbright. “When you make threats to do physical harm, it becomes more than a prank—it becomes illegal. We will take every step necessary to protect our community from this reckless and life-threatening behavior.”

Officials said the investigation remains active, and additional individuals connected to the threatening messages could face charges. Residents with information are encouraged to contact the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 706-886-7048 or submit tips through the agency’s mobile app.