| For Immediate Release Case # TBA
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Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
TWO GANG MEMBERS CHARGED WITH MURDERING FILM ACTOR AND SHOOTING ANOTHER MAN IN HEAD AFTER GUN-POINT ROBBERY AT ANAHEIM DENNY’S
FULLERTON – Charges were filed today against two Long Beach gang members for murdering a young actor and shooting another man in the head at an Anaheim Denny’s after a night at a nearby nightclub. Damon Hill, 24, and Jarrell Kelly, 20, both of Long Beach, are charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of attempted murder, three felony counts of second degree robbery, and sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity, murder committed for a criminal street gang purpose, the vicarious discharge of a firearm by a gang member, and the vicarious discharge of a firearm by a gang member causing great bodily injury. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Hill and Kelly are both in state prison serving three year terms on unrelated cases. An arraignment date for this murder is to be determined.
On March 17, 2006, several people went to an Anaheim Denny’s after leaving a nearby nightclub, the Boogie. While at the restaurant, friends Giovanni Boyd and Dwayne Washington went into the restroom, and defendants Hill and Kelly are accused of following them inside with a few unidentified friends. The defendants and their friends are accused of identifying themselves as gang members and robbing Boyd and Washington inside the restroom at gunpoint, stealing their jewelry and shoes.
As Boyd and Washington were being robbed, their friend Armond Jones entered the restroom. Hill, Kelly, and their friends are accused of robbing Jones of his jewelry and fleeing the restroom. Jones chased the defendants through the restaurant and outside into the parking lot, where Hill and Kelly are accused of shooting him in the chest. After being shot, Jones went back inside the restaurant bleeding, where he died.
Victim Ronnell Spencer, who had also been at the nightclub and was at Denny’s, ran outside after seeing the defendants and victim run into the parking lot. Hill and Kelly are accused of shooting him one time in the head. Spencer survived the shot.
Jones, an actor, had recently finished filming a role in the movie “Freedom Writers,” which was released after his murder.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Anaheim Police Detective Kerry Condon at (714)765-1944. The Anaheim Police Department investigated this case. Deputy District Attorney Christopher Duff of the Gang Unit is prosecuting this case.
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