Four Jesup Teens Charged in Connection With Memorial Day Park Shooting That Injured Three

JESUP, Ga. – Four Jesup teenagers have been arrested in connection with a Memorial Day weekend shooting near MLK Park that left three men wounded, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI announced July 27 that Carlos Mackey Jr., 18, Zechariah Merritt, 19, Marquayvion Rankin, 19, and Cornelius Shaw Jr., 17, have been charged following an investigation into the May 24 shooting.

According to investigators, the Wayne County 911 Center received a call at approximately 8:15 p.m. reporting a shooting near North Hickory Street and MLK Park.

The GBI said a group of juveniles and adults had gathered near the park for a fight when Rankin and Mackey allegedly began firing weapons.

When officers with the Jesup Police Department arrived, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Later that evening, a third man arrived at the same hospital with a gunshot wound. Authorities said all three victims were treated and later released.

Rankin and Mackey were each charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of making false statements.

Shaw and Merritt were each charged with one count of making false statements.

On July 24, Rankin, Mackey and Shaw were arrested with assistance from the Jesup Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office before being booked into the Wayne County Jail.

Merritt was already being held in the Wayne County Jail on unrelated charges at the time the new charge was filed.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the investigation remains active and ongoing.