Most Wanted List of Savannah criminals soon to be released, mayor says

In response to questions about weekend gun violence involving a shooter with previous felony criminal convictions, Savannah’s Mayor Van Johnson said Tuesday that his office will begin identifying, by name, the city’s most dangerous criminals. Johnson made the announcement on July 2 during his weekly press briefing from City Hall.

“I was on the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Savannah,” he said of Sunday’s incident on Victory Drive. “This is our second (officer-involved shooting) in just a few weeks. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to the officers involved myself. And we are blessed that no officers were injured in this incident.”

“Soon, I will be releasing a 10 Most Wanted list for the City of Savannah, because we have to make sure the community knows who these individuals are. We have to get them off the streets.”

Gregory Eugene Griffin, 31, was injured in a June 30 shootout with Savannah Police Department (SPD) officers after Griffin’s car was stopped on a tip from Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) that tied Griffin to an ongoing homicide investigation by the county.
“On Sunday, June 30, 2024, about 8:30 p.m., officers attempted to conduct a stop on a vehicle based on information provided by the Chatham County Police Department,” says a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) press release. “The information listed Griffin as a suspect in a homicide investigation and as driving the vehicle. Griffin attempted to drive away, and there was a short chase. He was traveling in the wrong lane of traffic on E. Victory Drive and hit another vehicle. Griffin got out of his vehicle and began to run. Officers began to chase Griffin, at which time he pulled out a firearm and shot at the officers. Three officers fired their guns and hit Griffin.”

“Officers rendered aid to Griffin, and he was taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center for treatment. This investigation is active and ongoing.”

The Savannah Morning News reported that Griffin’s previous conviction (voluntary manslaughter in 2014) for the 2013 killing of Rasheen Alexander resulted in his being sentenced to 20 years with 15 years to serve in the summer of 2014. He was released, after eight years and eight months, on Feb. 2, 2022.

Connect Savannah has previously reported on the convictions, and subsequent release, of William Anthony Mitchell, one of the alleged May 18 Ellis Square shooters. Mitchell was out on bond at the time of the shooting, which injured 11 people, including him. Another officer-involved shooting took place last month. A Hinesville man was charged by the GBI in that incident.
“Something needs to be done,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “We’re seeing more and more examples of people who are involved in violent activity who have been involved in violent activity before. I do think it’s a community hazard when someone has been involved in violence before and they are known to us.”