Canton Double Homicide 'Not A Random Shooting:' Police

CANTON, GA -- The investigation into the shooting deaths of two men over the weekend near downtown Canton continues to push forward, as detectives burn the midnight oil in an effort to solve the homicides.

While there have not been any arrests yet, the Canton Police Department did say it's been able to determine that "this was not a random shooting and multiple person(s) were involved in the incident."

"Detectives are persistent in their effort to establish a motive in the case and the roles of each person who was shot the night of the crime," the agency noted Thursday.

Two men, William Kendrick Randall, 23, and Tony Adam Samples, 26, of Ball Ground, died Sunday, June 25 of fatal gunshot wounds in the area of Crisler Street and Jefferson Circle.

As part of its investigation, Canton officers will continue extra patrols and "maintain a steadfast presence" in the area to ensure its residents and those attending one of the three churches in the area are safe, the police department added.

Officers were dispatched to a shots fired call around 11:20 p.m. on Crisler Street and arrived to find multiple people afflicted with gunshot wounds. One male was found dead in the grassy area adjacent to Crisler Street and another male wounded at a home off Jefferson Circle. The neighborhood sits off East Main Street near St. Paul AME Church Annex.

Around the same time, police also discovered a male inside a vehicle who had been shot. Emergency medical crews rushed the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The wounded victim was transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries, the agency added. Mitchell said Canton detectives will not release the third shooting victim's name at this time, as the investigation remains active.

Police Chief Mark Mitchell previously told Patch the agency has received quality information from citizens who've reached out with tips and leads.

However, police are not ready to release additional details in the case, including how the victims knew each other, why they were at the location and if they have narrowed down the field of people they are reviewing as part of the case.

"As with any case, we have also received some hesitation, but we have a very good relationship with our community and that's the kind of partnership it takes to solve a crime such as this," the chief added.

Anyone who has information about the double homicide is asked to call the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.

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