Villarrica police arrest driver and charge 16-year-old as adult after targeted shooting at Zaxby’s; no injuries reported

Villarrica police reported that officers responded at 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 8 to a report of shots fired at the Zaxby’s restaurant at 200 Cooley Way and determined the incident was targeted, not random. No one was injured. Captain Stephen Lujan, speaking on behalf of Chief Mansour and the department, said four shots were fired and that neither the shooter nor the intended target were on scene when officers arrived. The department located and detained a vehicle later that night; “The driver, Amanda Williams, 39, of Villarrica, was detained and taken to the police department for questioning,” Lujan said. During the interview, Lujan said, Williams identified a 16-year-old shooter and admitted she drove him to the Zaxby’s “to confront a victim.” Lujan said Williams told investigators she later picked the suspect up after hearing gunshots and transported him to a residence. Villarrica police and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office later apprehended the juvenile at a residence outside the city without incident. Lujan said the 16-year-old has been charged as an adult with multiple counts, including aggravated assault (listed as 11 counts), possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes, and other charges; Williams was charged with being a party to aggravated assault (three counts) and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, among other counts. Lujan told the council the case remains under active investigation and that additional charges are possible as detectives develop leads and conduct further interviews. Council and staff thanked police for the swift response and said they were relieved no one was hurt.