Police arrest suspects in Carrabba's shooting

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Authorities have arrested two suspects and released the identity of the victim after Monday’s deadly shooting outside a restaurant in Smyrna, according to police.

Vincent Diandrez Brooks and Damien Akeen Scott, both 22, were taken into custody by the Cobb County Sheriff's Office. Both are being charged with homicide-murder and aggravated assault, according to authorities.

The investigation is active, and Scott and Brooks will be transferred to the Cobb County Adult Detention Center for further processing.

Smyrna Police say the victim and one of the suspects were strangers meeting in the parking lot of Carrabba's on Cumberland Blvd around 1:30 p.m. to conduct an online sale transaction when the sale turned deadly.

“It appears he had come here to do a Craisglist-style transaction when the transaction went bad,” said Smyrna Police Officer Louis Defense.

When officers arrived at the scene they found a white SUV at the edge of the parking lot. The driver was on the ground; he had been shot and killed.

Police have identified the victim as Mezaio Pickett, 26, of Cobb County.

Police said the two suspects took off in a small, black 4-door car with rust on the trunk.

Suspect 1 is described as a medium, brown skin, black male, between 6’ and 6’03” tall with a thin build and low cropped haircut. The suspect was last seen wearing a sleeveless North Carolina blue shirt, North Carolina blue shorts and Nike North Carolina edition Michael Jordan sneakers.

Suspect 2 is described as dark skin, black male with a small twist styled hairdo, a thin build and who was last seen wearing glasses.

The vehicle, possibly a Nissan Altima, was last spotted on Cumberland Boulevard speeding towards Cumberland Parkway, according to police.

Authorities are not saying if the gunman was the buyer or the seller, but said he came to the transaction armed.

“Some of these individuals that are up to criminal activity they just don't have any fear,” said Officer Defense.

Police urge anyone who is involved with online sales to meet at their local police department. Most stations now have designated areas for the transactions.

Kenea Yancey works very close to where the shooting happened. She said it is scary knowing the gunman is on the loose. She said anytime she sells or buys something online, she meets the other party at the police station.

“This is 2017, people carry guns, knives, people get robbed in broad daylight, it's better to be safe than sorry,” said Yancey.

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