In the early evening of June 13, 2023, 16-year-old Mykal Ellis, a promising running back for the Brunswick High School football team, was walking home after football practice in Brunswick, Georgia. As he made his way down Johnston Street, just steps from his own front door, gunshots rang out. Mykal, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire, was struck and killed in the street. His brother, who heard the shots, ran to his side.
First responders arrived to find the male teenager unresponsive and, despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The Brunswick community was shaken by the senseless death of the young athlete, who was described by his brother as a 'great intelligent young man' who was never a troublemaker. His coach remembered him as a joy to be around, a tremendous teammate, and a great friend who did everything right. In the days following the shooting, investigators identified 21-year-old Breon Hartley from Jacksonville, Florida, as the primary suspect. Warrants were issued for his arrest on charges of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Police also arrested an associate of Hartley's, Diandra Hightower, charging her with tampering with evidence and providing false statements to investigators.
For a year, Hartley remained a fugitive, eluding capture. The Brunswick Police Department, along with other agencies, worked tirelessly to bring him to justice. Finally, on June 20, 2024, U.S. Marshals located and arrested Hartley in Jacksonville. News of his capture brought a sense of relief to Mykal's family and the community. Hartley is now awaiting extradition back to Glynn County to face the charges against him. His trial for the murder of Mykal Ellis was anticipated to begin in January 2026.
