Police: Teens Accused of New Years Eve Murder Charged as Adults

The two teens accused in the New Year’s Eve shooting death during a drug deal gone bad will face charges as adults, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

Randy Deforrest Frederick, 16, and Trent Lee Jacobs, 15, have been charged with murder, aggravated assault and armed robbery — all felonies — in the shooting death of Gage McGee, 18. Deputies said McGee was found inside his car with a gunshot wound to the chest at around 2:51 p.m. Dec. 31 in the water tank area on Bryan Miller Road in western Paulding County.

Detectives believe Frederick and Jacobs arranged to meet McGee at the water tank to buy marijuana, then intended to rob him.

According to a press release submitted by the sheriff’s office Monday morning:

McGee drove to the scene in his vehicle and Frederick and Jacobs walked to the location on foot. When McGee showed up, he met with Frederick and Jacobs who produced a gun with the intent of robbing McGee. During the robbery, there was some type of altercation which led to McGee getting shot. Once McGee got shot, he got back inside his vehicle and tried to flee the scene for help. McGee did not make it very far before he succumbed to his injuries and crashed the vehicle.

The teens were charged after they went to the sheriff’s office on Jan. 1 to speak with detectives.

“Even though Frederick and Jacobs are teenagers and considered juveniles by the State of Georgia, they are being charged as adults in this particular case and will be tried in Paulding County Superior Court,” Cpl. Ashley Henson said in the press release.

The teens are being without bond at youth detention centers in Marietta and Rome.

(Photos: Randy Deforrest Frederick and Trent Lee Jacobs. Credit: PCSO)