GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Two Gwinnett County brothers have remained behind bars without bond since June after a confrontation with a neighbor ended in gunfire.
Kehonia Vick, the brothers’ mother, spoke exclusively with Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln about the case, saying her sons responded after a man confronted their elderly family member.
Vick said 18-year-old Camari Warner and 23-year-old Armani Warner, who she says have no criminal history, heard a man yelling at their elderly family member before the confrontation escalated.
“They were protecting,” Vick said.
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Doorbell camera video captured part of the confrontation.
“You getting too close, bruh,” one of the brothers can be heard saying.
In another clip, someone can be heard saying, “Don’t [bleep] with my family. Don’t [bleep] with my family.”
Vick said the man came to the home after an earlier physical altercation involving two juveniles.
She said her elderly stepfather answered the door without knowing about the earlier fight.
Vick can be heard speaking to the man through the doorbell camera as she headed home.
“Give me 10 mins, sir,” she said.
Vick said the confrontation escalated when her sons confronted the man and told him to back away from their home.
She also told Channel 2 the man fired a gun several doors down from the home before her sons returned fire. That initial gunfire was not captured on the doorbell video, according to Vick.
Gwinnett County police, however, said their investigation reached a different conclusion.
Police said officers initially responded to a domestic dispute stemming from two juveniles getting into a physical altercation earlier that day.
Responding officers spoke with those involved, reviewed available video and located three shell casings at the scene. The evidence was then turned over to detectives for further investigation, police said.
Detectives later obtained and reviewed additional video footage, according to the department.
“The evidence did not show (neighbor) pointing a firearm at anyone involved, or firing a weapon,” Gwinnett County police said in a statement.
Police said the evidence also showed Davis had moved away from the residence and into a public roadway or sidewalk area.
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After reviewing the video and other evidence, detectives determined the circumstances did not support the use of force against Davis under Georgia’s Stand Your Ground law, police said.
The investigation led to the arrests of Camari Warner and Armani Warner.
The brothers have remained in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond since June.
“These boys are absolutely innocent,” family attorney Michael Sterling said.
Sterling said he does not understand why the brothers have not been granted bond. He said they have no criminal history and were not the initial aggressors.
“That’s why I say it’s investigation malpractice,” Sterling said.
Vick filed a separate court case against her neighbor. During that proceeding, a Gwinnett magistrate judge criticized his actions during the confrontation.
“We’re in Georgia, everyone and their dog has a gun, and you come to my house like that, you’re not going to get to your nine,” the judge said.
Sterling said the judge’s comments raised questions about the investigation.
“Why this judge can see what Gwinnett County DA’s office and police officers cannot see is baffling,” Sterling said.
Vick said she wants her sons home.
“I’m looking for help to get my boys home, to find justice,” she said.
The brothers face several felony charges, including aggravated assault and terroristic threats, as well as misdemeanor cruelty to children.
Sterling says the prosecutors have until September 25th to indict the brother or it would be required to release the brothers on Bond. Sterling says Georgia law states suspects can’t be held more than 90 days without being formally charged.
Gwinnett County police encouraged people involved in disputes to avoid escalating confrontations and contact law enforcement if they have safety concerns.
“If there is a concern for your safety or the safety of others, call 911 and allow officers to respond and address the situation,” the department said.
Channel 2 reached out to Vick’s neighbor for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Vick said the family plans to hold a rally from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 16 at the Gwinnett County Superior Court, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.
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