GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The suspects accused of killing a Jackson County high school football star have all pleaded not guilty to their charges in connection to the death of the 18-year-old.
Elijah DeWitt was shot and killed in the parking lot of Sugarloaf Mills Mall outside the Dave & Buster's in Lawrenceville on the night of Oct. 5, 2022.
Kpadeh Jones, 19, Kemare Bryan, 18, and Chandler Richardson, 19, all face charges in connection to DeWitt's killing.
Jones and Bryan were both present in the courtroom Friday morning, where they waived and entered a not guilty plea. Richardson had previously pleaded not guilty.
Police have still not offered a complete motive for the shooting though they previously said that, "It appears that the suspects and the victim were familiar with each other and when they encountered each other in the parking lot, an altercation took place and then the shooting."
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Richardson and Bryan were arrested in Anderson County, South Carolina a week after the shooting and were later indicted by a grand jury on one count of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Both were denied bond.
Jones wasn't arrested until earlier this month, more than a year after the shooting. He was indicted Nov. 1 for the same four charges as Richardson and Bryan.
Dewitt's family filed a lawsuit against the business owners where the shooting took place -- Sugarloaf Mills, Simon Property Group, Allied Universal and Dave & Buster’s. They said they are suing the groups "for failing to provide adequate security even though they knew the property was – and continued to be – dangerous."
DeWitt's mother previously said while her son was a giant on the football field at Jefferson High School, he was the most down-to-earth guy with dreams to play college football – a dream cut short by one senseless act.
Last year, hundreds honored the star football player remembering him as a "gentle giant" after his death.
It seemed like nothing could stand in Elijah's way – Dawn said he already had a couple offers and was set to visit the University of Georgia.
"He loved football, he was ready and willing to do whatever it takes to go D1, that was his ultimate goal," Dawn said. "He was very tender and he loved people. Elijah was the kindest soul."