Former Ga. college basketball coach shot dead in Atlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Atlanta police are treating the death of a former head basketball coach at two Georgia universities as a homicide after his body was found in the city shortly after his family reported him missing.
The body of Sammy Jackson, a former men’s coach at Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University, was found Wednesday in a wooded area in northwest Atlanta with apparent gunshot wounds, according to the Atlanta Police Department.
Suspect arrested on charges of rape and kidnapping in Richmond County
A suspect has been arrested in connection to a sexual assault that happened Friday night, according to officials.
Jackson’s family reported him missing to the Peach County sheriff’s office in central Georgia. His wife told investigators she last heard from him late last Sunday when he was about to start working for a food delivery service, according to an incident report. Atlanta police said Jackson was a rideshare driver.
Authorities found his abandoned car Monday in Houston County, which is roughly 110 miles ) south of Atlanta.
Deputies seek clues in hit-and-run crash on Chester Avenue
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says deputies have responded to the scene of a hit and run crash at Virginia Avenue and Chester Avenue.
The Atlanta Police Department said they have identified 30-year-old Iquane Brown as a person of interest after a man was found shot and killed in the area of 2994 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW.
Police said Brown ordered a rideshare in Houston County on Wednesday, the same day the victim was found.
The person of interest is currently in custody in the Houston County Jail on an unrelated robbery charge from Warner Robins.
Man convicted in Augusta murder over a cigarette lighter
Frederick McNeal was convicted of felony murder and a firearm violation, according to District Attorney Jared Williams.
Jackson was head men’s basketball coach at Fort Valley State from 2011-2018 and Savannah State from 1999-2000. He also held assistant roles at the University of Alabama, Georgia Southern University, Alabama A&M University and Tennessee State University, according to a 2011 release from Fort Valley State.
Social media posts this week were posted by people who knew Jackson and recalled him as a kind man who helped others.
“I think everybody would like some answers and wants justice for Sammy,” said Kareem Kenney, a former assistant coach under Jackson.
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