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Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred at McDonald’s in the 13100 block of Abercorn Street on October 21.

"At about 10:50 p.m., officers responded to the area and found George Akins Jr., 15, suffering from life-threatening injuries. A second 15-year-old male was also injured in the shooting, and was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Akins succumbed to his injuries at the scene," police report.

The circumstances leading up to this incident are still under investigation. At this time, the shooting does not appear random, police report.

Anyone with information on this case should contact the SCMPD tip line by dialing (912) 525-3124.
Information may also be forwarded to CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police investigators are asking for the public’s help identifying two male subjects suspected of a vandalism that occurred on October 18.

"Around 11:10 p.m., two white males vandalized a monument in Forsyth Park. Anyone with information on the suspects’ identity or this case is asked to contact police. A confidential tip line directly to investigators is open at (912) 651-6994," police say.

Anyone who wishes to provide information anonymously can call CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020. CrimeStoppers tipsters may qualify for a cash reward.

The Nov. 7 performance by ZZ Top at the Johnny Mercer Theatre has been postponed.

Upcoming scheduled dates on ZZ Top’s current tour are temporarily suspended and will be rescheduled, according to the promoter.

"ZZ’s cornerstone bass-guitarist, Mr. Dusty Hill, is addressing a tummy ailment and is following directive to lay low for the next few weeks," the promoter says.

All fans that have purchased tickets are encouraged to hold onto them as new dates will be announced soon and those tickets will be honored at the new dates. Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase.

On Monday, City of Savannah Alderman Van Johnson said he would draft an ordinance for the rest of the Council to consider that "reduce the penalty for individuals carrying less than 1 ounce of marijuana from the current maximum rate of $1,000 to $150."

Johnson said, "I would also propose eliminating jail time for those individuals and reducing punishment to a citation within Savannah City limits," citing the recent similar move this month by the City of Atlanta.

Johnson refrains from using the word decriminalization, saying, "This proposal does not minimize the fact that marijuana is still illegal in Georgia and does not decriminalize it, which is not be allowed under the State law; however, I believe that it does spare many young people (and some older people) of the arrest and arrest records that make it difficult to obtain employment, housing or to attend school."

Johnson will propose that 20% of the fines collected be earmarked "to offset the cost of drug treatment for those who want to seek it."

Mayor Eddie DeLoach has said he will reserve judgment until he hears the opinion of local law enforcement on the matter.

University Police at Armstrong State University are currently investigating "an incident involving graffiti containing racial and threatening language that was found in a restroom in the Science Center on the campus of Armstrong State University," Armstrong Police say in a statement.

"University Police have actively been investigating the incident since it was reported yesterday. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was also contacted about the incident and is assisting," they report.

University Police and the GBI continue to investigate the incident, "but do not feel there is an immediate threat at this time," police report.

University Police say they will increase campus patrols while they continue to investigate. Investigators are interviewing people about the case. If you have any information concerning this case, contact University Police at 912-344-3333.

"On Oct. 6, The U.S. Secret Service requested the assistance of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department to locate a possible credit card skimmer device at a local gas station," SCMPD reports today.

"Through a coordinated effort, the skimming device was located inside a gas pump at the Citgo gas station on the 4400 block of Habersham Street."

Citgo gas station employees were unaware the device had been placed in the gas pump and cooperated in the recovery of the device, police report.

Credit card skimmers can be placed on the exterior or interior of gas pumps, and some devices use Bluetooth to access the data immediately. If you recently used your credit or debit card at these gas pumps, SCMPD Financial Crimes recommends you check your card statements. 

To celebrate 20 years of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Savannah College of Art and Design has added several new and notable names to the already-announced list of special guests and honorees.

The Festival will honor a total of 13 masters of their craft: Richard Gere (Lifetime Achievement Award), Zoey Deutch (Rising Star Award), Mariska Hargitay (Humanitarian Award), Ashley Judd (Virtuoso Award), Kyra Sedgwick (Spotlight Award), Andrea Riseborough (Outstanding Supporting Actress Award for Battle of the Sexes), and Willow Shields (Rising Star Award), joining previously announced honorees John Boyega, Salma Hayek Pinault, Holly Hunter, Robert Pattinson, Aaron Sorkin and Sir Patrick Stewart.

The SCAD Savannah Film Festival runs Saturday, Oct. 28 to Saturday, Nov. 4. The 2017 line-up of films includes Gala Screenings, Docs to Watch, Signature Series and a Global Shorts Forum.

This year’s festival will screen a total of 131 films, including 33 narrative films, 16 documentary films and 82 shorts. For a complete list of films and to see the full festival schedule, visit here.

SCMPD says that traffic will be rerouted on several downtown streets in preparation for Savannah State University’s 2017 Homecoming Parade, set for Saturday, Oct. 7.

The parade begins at 9 a.m., and enforced no-parking zones will take effect as early as 12:01 a.m., police say.

The staging area is on East Broad Street, and runs from Gwinnett to Liberty streets. The parade begins on Broad Street at Liberty, then travels north to Oglethorpe Avenue, west to Price Street, north to Broughton Street, west to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and then disbands on Anderson Street.

"This event will impact Downtown traffic flow as well as residential and visitor parking. Parking will be impacted within the staging area and along the parade route," police say.

"No parking zones will be marked prior to the parade. Notices will be posted in impacted areas throughout the rest of the week. Vehicles remaining in no parking zones after the indicated times will be towed at the owner’s expense," police report.

Police say that congestion is expected to be very heavy until after 1 p.m. "SCMPD asks that drivers plan routes accordingly and exercise caution and patience during this event."

In a free service is sponsored by City of Savannah Mobility and Parking Services Department, the Savannah Bicycle Campaign is offering a free valet parking service for bicycles at the Picnic in the Park in Forsyth Park on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 3 – 9 p.m. to encourage residents to ride their bikes to the popular annual event.

Concert goers can check in their bikes at the valet station, receive a claim ticket, then pick up their bikes when they are ready to leave the event. By riding bikes to the park, instead of driving, attendees can avoid the hassle of finding car parking.

“We want people to enjoy the festivities without having to worry about finding a place to lock their bicycles or trying to make room for them next to their picnic blankets,” says John Bennett, executive director of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign.

“Plus, people who are able to ride bikes to the concert free up parking spaces for people who must travel by car. We’ve offered this service for many years and we’ve seen use of the valet grow each time.”

The valet station will be set up near the tennis courts. It is staffed by SBC volunteers who watch over the bikes to make sure they are safe and secure.

“We are grateful to the City of Savannah Mobility and Parking Services for their sponsorship of the bicycle valet,” Bennett said. “It fits right in with the department’s emphasis on providing mobility options to residents and visitors alike.”

More information is available on the Savannah Bicycle Campaign Website.

Tickets for this year's SCAD Savannah Film Festival, to be held Oct. 28-Nov. 4, are on sale now here.  View the full schedule here.

Highlights include Richard Linklater's "Last Flag Flying," "Lady Bird," starring Saoirse Ronan, Guillermo Del Toro's "The Shape of Water," and "Darkest Hour," starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill.