According to police during a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning, the shooting that occurred on Willow Street on April 17 could have been gang-related. The victim, 21-year-old Paul Haden, is a member of the Crips gang and one of the defendants, 19-year-old Dominique Jarrett, is a member of the Bloods.
Police theorized that another of the defendants, 21-year-old Brandon Arnold, could have been involved because of a conflict over a girl. However, Arnold shook his head throughout this statement.
On the afternoon of April 17, Haden was getting off a bus on his way home from work at Zaxby's when he was shot by gunmen in a white SUV driving by. He later identified Jarrett and Arnold as two of shooters to Investigator Andrew Peker.
Haden testified during the hearing, telling General Sessions Court Judge David Bales that he received five gunshot wounds that day. He said he lost a kidney and had to spend a month in the hospital.
Haden hesitated to speak, prompting Judge Bales to tell him, "Everything's going to be ok. Just tell the truth."
After Haden's testimony, Judge Bales bound charges against both Arnold and Jarrett over to a grand jury.
Jarrett was on probation for a marijuana charge, so Judge Bales revoked his probation and ordered that he begin immediately serving the rest of his 11 month and 29 day sentence. Judge Bales also raised his bond to a total of $320,000.
Arnold had a previous record, so his bond was increased to a total of $350,000.
Judge Bales said the increase was because the two men are a "danger to the community" if they did "cold-bloodedly shoot someone down on the street."
He also warned both Arnold and Jarrett that if they or any of their friends or family made any type of contact or threats against the victim or the victim's family, he would order they be placed in solitary confinement.
He said, "I'm suggesting you do not mess with him or his family in any way."