In a quiet neighborhood in Canton, Georgia, the life of 26-year-old Tony A. Samples was cut short on the night of June 25, 2017. He, along with 23-year-old William Kendrick Randall, was fatally shot in an eruption of violence on Crisler Street. The incident, which police described as a confrontation between two opposing groups, was not a random act of violence as the individuals involved knew each other. When officers arrived at the scene around 11:20 p.m., they discovered a chaotic scene with multiple gunshot victims. One man was found deceased in a grassy area, another was found shot inside a vehicle and died on the way to the hospital, and a third victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. More than 70 gunshots were fired during the altercation, riddling nearby homes, vehicles, and even churches with bullets.
The investigation that followed the double homicide was described as extremely complex, involving multiple individuals. Within days, investigators began making arrests. Among the first to be taken into custody were Jeremy Ulysses Zellous, 29, who was charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, making false statements, and tampering with evidence. Also arrested were Tony Samples' own brother, 23-year-old Brody Austin Samples, and 35-year-old Joseph C. Goldback Jr. Initially, Brody Samples was charged with a bond violation, and Goldback with obstruction of an officer. However, the charges against Brody Samples were soon escalated to two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault, along with similar charges against 22-year-old Temarlos Marquarous Turner.
Ultimately, a grand jury indicted a total of 13 people in connection with the events surrounding the deaths of Tony Samples and William Randall. The motive for the shooting was traced back to a street fight that occurred the day before. Following the fight, one group posted a video online bragging about their victory, which was perceived as a sign of disrespect by members of the Bloods criminal street gang, leading to a retaliatory ambush the next day. In January 2022, three of the main perpetrators, Byron Elrod, 35, Brody Samples, 28, and Jeremy Zellous, 33, were sentenced for their roles in the gang-related crimes. After a five-week trial with testimony from over 50 witnesses, a jury found the three men guilty on a total of 59 counts, including felony murder, aggravated assault, and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. Elrod was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years, while Brody Samples and Jeremy Zellous both received sentences of life with the possibility of parole plus additional time to serve.
