The Warner Robins Police Department (WRPD) published a press release earlier this week, in regard to the shooting incident that took a Henry County teen’s life over Labor Day weekend. Fifteen-year-old Tanyla Johnson was visiting her family in Warner Robins, but because of unfolding incidents, she did not return to her family in McDonough, Georgia. Since the slaying of Johnson, WRPD has had a difficult time finding information, but despite that, they have been successful in making two arrests in connection to her slaying.
On September 10, Warner Robins Police Department served a murder warrant on a 15-year-old male in connection to the September 4 homicide at Mauldon Court and Dunmurry Place. Two days later, on September 12, Warner Robins Police Department served another murder warrant on a second 15-year old male.
At the most recent Warner Robins City Council meeting, several residents and councilmen voiced their opinions on the shooting incident. In a no-nonsense declaration, Councilman Charlie Bibb stated, “To let the cowards know, you will be hunted down and you will be caught. You will stand trial for the terrible crimes you have committed against the residents of War-Town. We will spend no expense to find you. We have the finest police department in the world. I suggest that you turn yourself in.” Additionally, he stated, “My thoughts and prayers are with that broken family, which lost their 15-year-old daughter. It is a tragedy to let your child visit our community, not knowing that she’d never return home. What a tragedy.”
Councilman Keith Lauritsen posed, “What causes someone to think it’s a good idea to shoot into a crowd?” Lauritsen believes mentoring the youth will help to create change in our community. He stated, “We have to mentor young people. I believe there’s a direct coloration between crime and not graduating high school. Hopeless people do hopeless things. Sometimes its poverty, societal issues and mental illness, but there are different things that drive people to commit these crimes. Jesus is hope, we have to pray for our youth and our community.”
On Thursday, September 16, Warner Robins Assistant Police Chief Chris Rooks informed the Houston Home Journal that, “No new information will be released to media outlets at this time, as this is still an ongoing investigation. More arrests are forthcoming.”
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Warner Robins Police Department at 478-302-5380 or the Macon Regional Crime stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.
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