Oglethorpe Mall Shooting: Five Suspects in Custody

On July 2, 2025, a shooting at Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah, Georgia, left three people with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds—two young adults and one juvenile—and four others hospitalized for medical emergencies. The incident, which occurred around 5:40 p.m., began inside a store and spilled outside, involving two groups in what police described as a targeted act, possibly linked to gang activity or an armed robbery gone wrong. Olislene “Tina” Smith, a shopper, died around midnight on July 3 or 4 from heart complications exacerbated by the incident, marking the first fatality.

Savannah Police Department (SPD) responded swiftly, evacuating the mall and clearing it with SWAT by 7:50 p.m. The mall, managed by Brookfield Properties and secured by Andy Frain Services, closed the following day. Security responded “almost immediately,” with the LiveSafe app aiding communication.

Despite a no-guns policy, the shooting raised questions about security measures.Five suspects were arrested, including Theron Robbins, 19, apprehended on July 19 in Screven County on charges of murder and aggravated assault. Another adult male was arrested on July 9, facing murder, firearm possession, and assault charges. A 16-year-old turned himself in, and two other minors were linked to the case. SPD and the Chatham County DA’s office are working to determine appropriate charges, with initial charges against two juveniles dropped. The investigation remains ongoing, with surveillance video suggesting a gang-related motive or robbery attempt.