Douglas County man once charged in Sweet 16 shooting back in court
Man previously charged in party shooting arrested
Prosecutors originally charged Chance McDowell with the murders of Samuel Moon and A'Ja Naye Hill. But he pled guilty to lesser charges, and he walked away with time served.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - A Douglas County man once charged in a deadly Sweet 16 party shooting is back in trouble with the law.
Chance McDowell arrested again
What we know:
Chance McDowelTwenty-year-old Chance McDowell, who previously faced murder charges in the 2022 deaths of Samuel Moon and Aj’anaye Hill before pleading guilty to a lesser obstruction charge, appeared in magistrate court on Thursday to face new allegations.
RELATED: Teens killed during sweet 16 birthday party to be honored in Douglas County
Investigators say they found mushroom-infused chocolate bars, 20.3 grams of marijuana packaged inside a Mason jar, and a firearm in McDowell’s possession. Prosecutors also allege the case is connected to street gang activity, leading to an additional gang-related charge.
McDowell’s case has been bound over to Superior Court. He had received time served in the earlier case after the murder charges were dropped, but prosecutors say this latest arrest could carry serious consequences.
Chance McDowell arrested on new charges
Chance McDowell, previously charged in a 2022 Sweet 16 party shooting that left two teens dead, is facing new gun, drug, and gang-related charges in Douglas County.
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Douglasville Sweet 16 party shooting
The backstory:
McDowell previously faced charges stemming from the March 5, 2023, shooting in Douglasville at a sweet 16 party which claimed the lives of 15-year-old Samuel Moon and 14-year-old Aj’anaye Hill.
According to court records, he took a plea deal, and got murder charges dropped after prosecutors determined he did not play a major role in the mass shooting.
He went free on time served for obstruction.
What's next:
Authorities say they will continue to investigate the possible gang ties.
McDowell's case has been found over to the superior court.
Memorials for 15-year-old Samuel Moon and 14-year-old Aj’anaye Hill will be held on Monday.