PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
For Immediate Release
UPATE 4
SANDY SPRINGS, GA (August 23, 2021) – The Sandy Springs Police Department has made an arrest following the August 17th homicide of 22 year old Yemi Ezekiel and the aggravated assault of a surviving victim. Earlier today, Sandy Springs Detectives took 35-year-old Cortney Demar White into custody after he contacted them to surrender. White has been arrested and charged with the following:
- Murder
- Aggravated Assault with Intent to Murder (2 counts)
- Aggravated Battery
As a result of this investigation, arrest warrants were also issued for 25-year-old Devonte Lavonne Childs; however, as of the time of this update, his whereabouts are unknown and remains a fugitive. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Childs is asked to contact 911 immediately. Additionally, the investigator in this case is Detective Pearson and he can be contacted This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 770-551-6939
| Devonte L. Childs | Cortney D. White **CAPTURED** |
| Murder | Murder |
| Poss. of a firearm during commission of felony | Aggravated Assault w/ intent to murder |
| Poss. of a firearm during commission of felony | Aggravated Assault w/ intent to murder |
| Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon | Aggravated battery |
| Aggravated Assault w/ intent to murder |
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UPDATE 3
SANDY SPRINGS, GA (August 20, 2021) – Sandy Springs Police Detectives have issued arrest warrants in connection to the August 17th homicide of 22 year old Yemi Ezekiel Mabiaku in the parking lot of 2090 Dunwoody Club Drive. Wanted in connection to this case is 25-year-old Devonte Lavonne Childs and 35-year-old Cortney Demar White.
The whereabouts of both suspects are currently unknown, as they remain at large. Both suspects are considered armed and extremely dangerous. Cortney White may be driving a 2009 Cadillac DTS with Georgia tag: RYK0197. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of both Childs and White is asked to contact 911 immediately. Additionally, the investigator in this case is Detective Pearson and he can be contacted This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 770-551-6939
| Devonte L. Childs | Cortney D. White |
| Murder | Murder |
| Poss. of a firearm during commission of felony | Aggravated Assault w/ intent to murder |
| Poss. of a firearm during commission of felony | Aggravated Assault w/ intent to murder |
| Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon | Aggravated battery |
| Aggravated Assault w/ intent to murder |
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UPDATE 2
SANDY SPRINGS, GA (August 18, 2021) – Sandy Springs Police Detectives have revealed the motive of the homicide now being investigated. During the course of the investigation, Detectives were able to determine that all parties are known to each other and all met at 2090 Dunwoody Club Drive to carry out a drug transaction involving a large amount of marijuana. During the drug transaction, shots were fired and both victims were struck; one of them receiving fatal injuries.
Detectives continue to analyze evidence and interview multiple witnesses and are asking anyone with information to contact Sandy Springs Police Detective Pearson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 770-551-6939
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UPDATE 1
SANDY SPRINGS, GA (August 18, 2021) – The deceased victim has been identified as 22-year-old Yemi Ezekiel Mabiaku from Atlanta. The identity of the surviving victim is being withheld to protect his safety. Detectives continue to analyze evidence and interview multiple witnesses and are asking the public to contact them should they have any information pertaining to this investigation.
The lead investigator is Detective Pearson and he can be reached via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 770-551-6939
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Victim: Mabiaku, Yemi E
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE
SANDY SPRINGS, GA (August 18, 2021) – The Sandy Springs Police Department is investigating a double shooting that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old male victim.
Incident:
On August 17, 2021 at 5:20 PM, Sandy Springs Police Officers responded to 2090 Dunwoody Club Drive, Orchard Park Shopping Center after receiving multiple calls of shots being fired in the parking lot. As Officers were on the way, the call was upgraded to two persons shot and both still in the parking lot. Officers arrived to the shopping center and immediately started rendering first aid on both victims until the arrival of medical services. Both males were transported to a nearby hospital where one died as a result of his injuries. The second victim, suffering from at least one gunshot wound was rushed into surgery and is now considered to be in stable condition and his injures are now being described as non-life-threatening.
Officers and Detectives immediately started processing the scene and interviewing witnesses. Although this investigation is very active and in the early stages, Detectives were able to determine that this was not a random act of violence and learned that all those involved are known to each other. Additionally, both victims were at the shopping center together and arrived to meet with the perpetrator(s). Detectives continue to analyze evidence and interview witnesses, to include the surviving victim.
The identity of the deceased victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Sandy Springs Police Detective Tomlin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 770-551-3321
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SSPD Case Number: 2021-008664
Media Contact: Sgt. S. Ortega
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.