On Sunday, October 11, 2020, at approximately 10:19 p.m., the Cobb County Police Department Precinct One uniform patrol officers responded to a Kennesaw, Georgia apartment complex in reference to a Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) request. On arrival, officers located a male with an apparent gunshot wound to the neck. Additional officers responding to the scene located several vehicles attempting to flee the area. Responding officers stopped and detained several vehicles to confirm whether the vehicles' occupants were involved in the shooting. All occupants were then transported to the Cobb County Crime Against Persons office for interviews.

Through interviews, it was revealed the shooting was the result of two groups who were previously engaged in a physical altercation at a nearby gas station. During the altercation, a firearm was produced and used in a threatening manner towards one group, and the group left the area. The rival groups agreed to later meet at the apartment complex in Kennesaw and continue with the confrontation. The victim, who was armed with a shotgun, arrived at the location with several other people, and shortly thereafter, the rival group arrived armed with handguns. During the encounter, a juvenile suspect shot the victim in the neck, causing his death. Immediately after the shooting, one individual involved in the incident remained on scene with the victim, while all other involved parties attempted to flee the area and conceal evidence. 

The victim, identified as 23-year-old Devere Blake, succumbed to his injuries on scene. 

Video footage from the gas station and witnesses at the apartment complex revealed that all involved parties in the incidents were willing participants of the criminal activity that had taken place. 

On Monday, October 12, 2020, the juvenile shooter was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and murder-felony. Six adults (between ages of 17 and 21) and four juveniles were arrested and charged with party to the crime of aggravated assault and murder-felony.

On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, additional arrest warrants were issued for an adult male (17-years-old) and one juvenile for party to the crime of aggravated assault and murder-felony.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb County Crimes Against Persons Unit at 770-499-3945.

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