Hall County sheriff’s investigators have charged two men in connection with drive‑by shootings early Wednesday at a convenience store in North Hall which began when the clerk wouldn’t sell them some beer.
Deputies responded to Stop by Food Mart on Dahlonega Highway around 1:00 after reports of gunfire. According to investigators, two men arrived at the store in an SUV and attempted to buy alcoholic beverages. The clerk, a 36‑year‑old man, refused the sale, leading to an argument before the men left.
Two women, ages 39 and 52, were in the parking lot at the time. Investigators said the younger woman argued with one of the suspects in support of the clerk before the men drove away.
Authorities believe at least one of the men fired gunshots in the distance after leaving. The SUV later returned, passing the store with its occupants yelling from the vehicle. After turning around and passing the store again, the passenger fired a handgun toward the business while the two women were still outside. No injuries were reported. Deputies later found two bullet holes in the building.
A be‑on‑the‑lookout was issued for the SUV. Later in the day, Lumpkin County deputies located the vehicle and detained the two men. Hall County investigators interviewed them, confirmed their identities and obtained warrants.
The passenger, Travis Ian White, 17, of Adairsville, was charged with three counts of felony aggravated assault, three counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct and misdemeanor possession of a pistol by a person under 18.
The driver, Cooper Lane Robinson, 23, of Murrayville, was charged with three felony counts of party to a crime of aggravated assault.
Both men were booked into the Hall County Jail and remained there at mid-afternoon Thursday.
(AI assisted in writing this story.)