Accused Teen Shooter Transferred To Adult Jail

SNELLVILLE, GA — A Gwinnett County teen who police say touched off a house party shootout in Snellville that killed another teen is now awaiting trial in jail with the adults.

Trevais Ways turned 17 on Monday and was transferred from Rockdale Regional Youth Detention Center to Gwinnett County jail, according to sheriff's office records.

Police say Ways, of Snellville, fired first at a house party on the 2900 block of Aviator Circle last July. The shooting followed a dispute over a cellphone theft at the party and led to the death of Jahlah Branch, 17, of Lithonia.

Ways was arrested in January and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, according to Gwinnett County Police.

In October, another teen — 19-year-old Aundre Brooks, of Lithonia — was arrested for involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct in the shooting.

Police say Brooks was acting as a security guard at the party, which about 100 people were attending. His actions, police say, were in response to gunfire from Ways.

He, too, is being held in Gwinnett County Detention Center.

According to witness statements from the party, several people with firearms began shooting during the altercation. After the shooting, Branch was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head.

Ways is being held without bond for the shooting.

Photo via Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office