The two young girls pulled by firefighters out of a burning Savannah home over the weekend died Thursday at Memorial University Medical Center, Savannah Fire/EMS officials said.
The 13- and 6-year-old girls had both been in critical condition in the pediatric intensive care unit at the hospital since they were pulled from a smoke-filled room at the home in the 200 block of East DeRenne Drive Sunday afternoon, said Mark Keller, Savannah Fire spokesman.
A third girl was able to escape the building before firefighters arrived at the Kensington Park home about 2 p.m. where the found heavy smoke and flames shooting from the roof.
Investigators determined the fire that severely damaged the structure began in a clothes dryer, Keller said.
Man killed near Yamacraw
Savannah-Chatham police are investigating the shooting death of a 19-year-old Savannah man at a downtown public housing complex Wednesday night.
Ardearrin Christopher L. Jefferson died at Memorial University Medical Center where he was transported for treatment after the 11:40 p.m. shooting near 725 Yamacraw Village, police said.
Residents in the area reported hearing multiple gunshots before responding Downtown Precinct patrol officers found Jefferson with gunshot wounds
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Crimestoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential Tip Line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.
Man sought after barber shop raid
One man was arrested, and a second is being sought after Savannah-Chatham police SWAT Team and Central Precinct officers raided a Live Oak neighborhood barber shop and nearby house Thursday.
Marlon Mozat Brown, 39, was arrested in the Celebrities Barber Shop in the 2000 block of Ash Street in an operation conducted by the Tactical Investigation Unit of the Central Precinct Investigation Office, said Julian Miller, police spokesman. They were aided by patrol and crime suppression unit officers and detectives, canine officers and members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams.
Brown initially was charged with three illegal substances sales. Detectives continue to investigate after finding marijuana in the barber shop and various illegal substances, drug manufacturing equipment, a stolen weapon and a stolen computer in his residence on West 35th Street.
Brown has a history of drug offenses and probation violations dating to 1991 and has been convicted of felonies on five separate occasions, Miller said.
Detectives also are asking the public’s help in locating Shawn Anthony March, 39, on two additional sales offenses. March has a record of drugs, contempt of court and probation violations along with battery and obstruction charges.
He was convicted on multiple charges and sentenced to multiple 10-year prison terms in 2008 but served only from August 2009 until January 2011.
He is a black male, about 5-7 and weighing about 200 pounds. He is believed to be armed.
Thursday’s operation was the continuation of an investigation that began Jan. 9, 2012, after Larry Jiles was gunned down in front of the barber shop at East 36th and Ash streets.
Jiles was standing beside a Pontiac Aztec he had driven to the shop when he was shot multiple times. The car contained several electronic components. Violent crimes detectives continue to investigate that case.
Anyone with information on the location of Mack is asked to call Crimestoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
Lane of Abercorn to close Saturday as southside road construction continues
A westbound lane of Abercorn Street on Savannah’s southside will close most of Saturday as worked remove asphalt as part of the ongoing road widening project in the area.
Georgia Department of Transportation contractors will clsoe the lane from about 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Wilshire Boulevard and Holland Drive, weather permitting.
Motorists should expect minor delays in the work zone.
Compiled by Corey Dickstein, Gale Baldwin and Josh Rayburn