Savannah-Chatham police Wednesday were investigating the overnight shooting death of a 33-year-old man on West Bay Street.
Downtown Precinct patrol officers found William Bass Jr., of Savannah, shot to death in the 1300 block of West Bay about 1 a.m. after responding to the report of a shooting in the area, said Julian Miller, police spokesman.
Bass is the fourth homicide investigated by Savannah-Chatham police in 2013.
Police are asking anyone with information on the case to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). In the body type, include “CStop2020” plus the tip. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.
Pair indicted in November robbery
Two men were indicted on Wednesday on armed robbery and related charges in the November robbery of clothes and money from a male victim.
Bryant Andre Dogan, 23, and Brandon Gernard Mike, 19, used a handgun to rob Benjamin Williams on Nov. 18, the Chatham County grand jury determined.
The indictment included charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime against both men and a separate charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon against Mike.
Evidence presented by Assistant District Attorney Jerry Rothschild showed the defendants gave the victim a ride from a bar near the Savannah State University campus to a convenience store on Skidaway Road where they robbed and put him out of the car and fled.
Chatham County grand jury rejects armed robbery indictment
The Chatham County grand jury on Wednesday declined to indict two men on armed robbery and aggravated assault charges in the alleged December holdup of two women.
A proposed indictment alleged Devin Jenkins Lee, 20, and Brandon Maurice Stewart, 18, robbed Taylor Cooler and her mother, Cynthia Cooler, with a handgun on Dec. 1.
The grand jury no-bill action means the panel found insufficient evidence to send the charges to Chatham County Superior Court for trial.
In addition to armed robbery and aggravated assault, the proposed indictment included charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony against both and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon against Lee.
Both proposed indictment also included an aggravated assault with a handgun charge against both men against Taylor Cooper on March 4.
Five displaced in mobile home fire
Five people were displaced Wednesday afternoon following a mobile home fire in Bloomingdale, the Red Cross reported.
The fire at 414 W. Garvin St. displaced three adults and two children, ages 14 and 2, said Robin Wingate, executive director of the American Red Cross Southeast Georgia Chapters. Bloomingdale Fire Chief Ferman Tyler said the fire was started in the kitchen area, but that the exact cause was not immediately determined. No one was injured in the fire.
Chatham County Disaster Action Team volunteers provided funds for food, clothing, temporary shelter and replacement of prescription medication, Wingate said.
Tybee Island beach advisory issued
Polk Street Beach on Tybee Island has been placed under advisory by the Chatham County Health Department.
Polk Street Beach is located in the northernmost part of Tybee Island at the mouth of the Savannah River from the end of the beach to the jetty.
The advisory is only for the aforementioned area and does not impact any other beaches on the island. The beach water advisory is to alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact but does not mean the beach is closed.
The Coastal Health District made the announcement on Wednesday.
Routine water quality tests from samples taken Tuesday at the location showed a high level of enterococci bacteria, which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers, the district said.
The health department recommends against swimming and wading in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from the area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.
The area will be retested on Thursday and the advisory will be lifted when tests show the bacteria levels meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.
Pooler offering St. Patrick’s Day shuttle
The Pooler Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Inc. and Kelly Tours are offering shuttle services to Savannah on Friday and Saturday for St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
The cost for a one-day round trip is $20 per person or $30 per person for two days’ round trip. A locals’ special for those with children 12 and younger is $10 per child 12 and younger on Saturday. Tickets are cash only, unless purchased before Friday at www.kellytours.com.
On Friday, the first and last shuttles leave the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum at 5 p.m. and midnight, running every hour on the hour. On Saturday, first and last shuttles leave the Mighty Eighth at 7:30 a.m. and midnight.
For more information, call Kelly Tours at 912-964-2010 or the chamber at 912-748-0110 or office@poolerchamber.com.
Compiled by Corey Dickstein, Jan Skutch, Marcus E. Howard and Dash Coleman