Sheriff’s officials arrest 6th teen in connection to gunfight

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 5, 2016

LaGRANGE — An Alabama teenager was arrested late last week for his alleged role during a robbery, beating and gunfight between two rival groups that ended on Adams Road in Troup County.

Brandon Avery, 18, of Valley, Alabama, was found and detained by detectives with the Valley Police Department who knew he was wanted by the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, said officials.

Avery was wanted on a robbery charge related to the Adams Road incident, investigators said. He was arrested and charged with felony robbery by force. The teen remained in Alabama until he can be extradited to the Troup County Jail.

Troup sheriff’s investigators believe Avery was part of a group of teens from Alabama who converged at a house party on May 1 where another group of teens from Troup County were also hanging out. One of the men from Troup County had a .45-caliber, semi-automatic pistol, and the teens from Alabama decided to steal the gun and lured the man and a friend away from the house, said TCSO Chief Investigator Capt. Mike Caldwell. The group then severely beat the two victims and took off.

The two victims went back to the party and instead of calling 911, found their friends who then jumped in a car and took off to find the group responsible for the attack, Caldwell said. They caught up with the crew from Alabama on Adams Road and in retaliation for the robbery, opened fire on the car. The group in the other vehicle shot back.

Caldwell said both cars were heavily damaged in the exchange of gunfire, but no one was hurt.

Five other teens have already been arrested and charged in the incident:

• Darien Brown, 19, of Valley, Alabama, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

• Dylan Hurston, 17, of Lanett, Alabama, was charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault.

• Deangelo Farrow, 19, and Cash D. Austin, 19, both of Valley, Alabama, were each charged with one count of robbery by force.

• Hunter Mowers, 19, of Troup County, was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

All the charges are felonies.

Stabbing

One person is recovering after being stabbed during a dispute over an animal on Saturday at a home on Corinth Road.

Marvin Purgason, 67, allegedly stabbed the victim after the person said he was not properly taking care of the animal, said Troup sheriff’s Capt. Mike Caldwell, chief investigator.

The victim was not seriously hurt, but did require stitches, said officials.

Purgason was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is in the Troup County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.

Man threatens person over loud fireworks

A Troup County man was arrested after he allegedly threatened someone with a gun over a fireworks disturbance at a home on Evans Court on Saturday.

Troup County sheriff’s deputies said the man, identified as John M. Hazel, 51, of LaGrange, was upset about the noise and commotion the fireworks were making outside his residence.

Hazel was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

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Public Safety Reports

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

All information in this report is gathered from official law enforcement and public safety reports and releases. It is the policy of the Daily News to list the names of people charged with felonies.

Reach the LaGrange Daily News at 706-884-7311.