By Melanie Ruberti

 

Melanie.ruberti@lagrangenews.com

 

2 more arrests in Newnan Street murder

 

LPD still searching for more suspects

 

LaGRANGE – Investigators with the LaGrange Police Department captured two more suspects for their alleged involvement in the murder of a man in the 200 block of Newnan Street.

 

Dantavious Rutledge, 18, of West Point and Dextreion Shealey, 18, of Lanett, Ala., were arrested earlier this week for their roles in the shooting death of Devan Tucker, 20, said Lt. Dale Strickland, commander of LPD’s Criminal Investigation Section.

 

Tucker was gunned down outside his home on Dec. 17 while celebrating his niece’s first birthday, said Vinikka Tucker, Devan’s mom.

 

Rutledge and Shealey were each charged with one count of murder and one count of aggravated assault, said Strickland.

 

Charles Lovelace, 18, and Coty Green, 21, were arrested for their roles in the shooting on Dec. 18, investigators told the LaGrange Daily News in an earlier article.

 

Both men were arrested inside a motel room in Valley, Ala.

 

Lovelace and Green have each been charged with one count of murder, investigators said.

 

According to Strickland, “disrespectful postings” made through social media sites between gang members in West Point and LaGrange was the catalyst behind the Newnan Street shooting and possibly the drive by shooting at Granger Park that same night.

 

“There is definitely an ongoing ‘beef’ between the two gangs,” Strickland stated.

 

Some of the suspects involved in both crimes appear to be gang members, however no arrest warrants for gang participation have been issued at this time, Strickland added.

 

Investigators have identified more suspects.

 

Additional arrests and charges are pending, Strickland said.

 

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter with LaGrange Daily News. She can be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.