It happened fast. One minute people were browsing racks and the next, the echo of gunfire ripped through the corridors of Oglethorpe Mall. You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the rumors swirling around social media about a savannah mall shooting today, but the reality of what unfolded is a mix of chaos, quick police work, and a community left shaking.
This wasn't just a random act. Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther basically confirmed it was a targeted confrontation between two groups. It wasn't some lone wolf; it was a beef that spilled over into a public space where families were just trying to grab a bite at the food court.
Honestly, the details coming out are heavy. Three people—two adults and one teenager—were hit by bullets. They were rushed to Memorial Health University Medical Center. But the tragedy didn't stop at the gunshot wounds. An innocent bystander, Olislene "Tina" Smith, passed away later. She didn't get shot. Her heart just couldn't take the stress of the chaos. It’s the kind of detail that makes your stomach drop because it shows how the ripple effects of violence hit people who weren't even the targets.
The Chaos Inside Oglethorpe Mall
The 911 calls started hitting the desk around 5:41 p.m.
If you know the mall, the shots reportedly broke out near the food court and a jewelry store facing Abercorn Street. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. One worker in a jewelry store saw blood near the fountain. Imagine that. You're selling a watch or a ring, and suddenly you're ducking behind a glass counter because the world outside just turned into a war zone.
People were running.
They weren't just running for the exits; they were ducking into storerooms, locking themselves in bathrooms, and hiding behind clothing racks. The Savannah Police SWAT team had to go through the entire building, store by store, to clear it. They evacuated everyone, but it took hours to make sure no shooters were still hiding in the shadows.
Who Was Involved?
Police didn't wait long to start rounding people up. This wasn't a "cold case" for very long.
Investigators used mall surveillance footage to piece together the puzzle. The video is grainy but clear enough to show the moment things went south. You can see suspects reaching into their waistbands. You see the glass of a storefront shattering.
By the time the smoke cleared, several names were linked to the incident:
- Franklin James (16 years old)
- Aujawan Hymon
- Theron Robbins
- Royce Haynes
- Dahmil Johnson
- Johnathan Jones
Franklin James, despite being only 16, is facing some of the heaviest charges, including felony murder and aggravated assault. Because Tina Smith died due to the medical complications caused by the shooting, the legal weight of this situation jumped from "assault" to "murder" real quick.
📖 Related: Charlie Kirk Full Video: Why People Are Still Searching For His Final Moments
The Gang Connection and Police Response
Police were pretty blunt about the motive. This was likely gang-related.
Chief Gunther didn't mince words when he said there's "no tolerance" for this kind of "meaningless violence." It’s a recurring theme in Savannah lately, isn't it? These disputes that start on the street or on social media and end up in places like a mall or a park.
The coordination between agencies was actually impressive. You had the Savannah Police, the U.S. Marshals, and the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office all moving in sync. They caught the last named suspect a few weeks after the initial chaos. It shows that when a high-profile location like a mall gets hit, the hammer comes down hard.
But for the people who were there, the speed of the arrests doesn't fix the trauma. One witness, Frenchie Bine, told local news she saw a "big gun" and just started taking pictures because she didn't know if she'd make it out. She’s okay, but she’s still shaking. That's the part the news cameras usually miss a week later—the people who are still afraid to walk into a crowded building.
What Most People Get Wrong About Mall Safety
There’s a common misconception that malls are "soft targets" with no security.
Actually, most modern malls have shifted their strategy. Oglethorpe Mall, like many others, has increased its reliance on high-definition surveillance and direct links to local precinct dispatchers. The reason the SWAT team was able to clear the building so effectively is because they had "eyes" in the sky (or the ceiling) almost immediately.
Another thing? People think these shootings are always "mass shootings" in the way we see on national news. Most mall incidents are actually "targeted disputes" that happen to occur in a public place. It doesn’t make it any less scary, but the intent is usually specific to a person, not the crowd.
What You Should Do If You're Caught in a Situation
If you ever find yourself in a similar spot—whether at a mall in Savannah or anywhere else—the "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol is still the gold standard.
- Run: If there’s a clear path to an exit, take it. Don't grab your shopping bags. Just go.
- Hide: If you can't get out, find a store and get to the back. Most retail stores have heavy-duty doors in the back for deliveries that lead to service corridors.
- Fight: This is the absolute last resort. If you're cornered, use anything—a fire extinguisher, a heavy display stand—to defend yourself.
Moving Forward in Savannah
The mall is open again. Life goes on, sort of.
The City of Savannah is pushing more community programs to try and stop these beefs before they reach the food court. They’ve been appointing new leaders, like Ashley Reynolds Marshall as Community Services Chief, to tackle the root causes of the violence. It's a long road.
If you have any information about this or other incidents, you can always call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020. You stay anonymous, and it actually helps.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip:
- Be Aware: Don't walk around with both earbuds in. You need to hear what's happening around you.
- Locate Exits: When you enter a large store like Belk or Macy's, take a two-second mental note of where the "Employees Only" or "Exit" signs are.
- Report Weirdness: If you see a group of people getting aggressive or acting like a fight is about to start, don't stick around to watch. Go the other way and tell a security guard. It’s better to be wrong and "uncool" than to be caught in the crossfire.
Safety isn't just about what the police do. It’s about how we look out for each other and staying sharp when we're out in public. Savannah is a great city, but like any city, it has its moments of darkness. Staying informed is your best defense.