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Written by: E. George
Published November 22, 2023 @ 3:30 PM ET
WALTON COUNTY, Ga. – On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, Monroe Police officers responded to a traffic accident with injuries near the West Spring Street Home Depot. While en route, they learned that one victim suffered a gunshot wound to her head and was possibly deceased.
After a thorough investigation involving numerous witness statements, evidence collected at the scene, security footage from Home Depot, and text messages between suspects, authorities arrested Kevin Y Rosa and Jagunte Jaylee Bass. A sergeant who reviewed the messages said it appeared that Rosa and Bass had planned to rob the victim.
The responding officer found the two vehicles involved in the crash at the West Spring Street intersection near Arby’s. A dark-colored Chevrolet Tahoe appeared to have slid sideways after striking an Impala’s driver’s side door.
As soon as the officer exited the patrol vehicle, a man approached and began recounting the incident. The officer interrupted him to check on the accident victims.
The female driver of the Tahoe was “slumped over towards the center console area,” and “there was a large amount of blood in the vehicle.” She was deceased.
The Impala driver “appeared to be in some pain from the accident.” People began approaching, so the officer ordered everyone to “back away from the vehicles in order to preserve the crime scene.”
Georgia State Patrol and other law enforcement arrived and assisted with securing the location with crime scene tape. After learning that a male suspect ran from the crash site towards Home Depot, other responding officers were directed to Highway 78, the Home Depot, and the tree line in the store’s parking lot to search for the man.
Two witnesses, Arby’s and Home Depot customers, said they saw the man run from the accident. The first witness saw him drop an item as he ran behind the United Community Bank, then double back and retrieve it before running off.
The second witness explained that he saw the Tahoe parked near his vehicle as he was “waiting to get his straw” from two straw trailers in the Home Depot lot. He “heard what sounded like gunshots coming from the vehicles that were next to him.”
He said, “A short time later, a black passenger vehicle picked the male up, and they drove off.” The vehicle “was a sports car, two-door, with no tag” or a temporary tag. One officer traveled to the IHOP to check their security cameras.
Two more witnesses, both Home Depot employees, said they were near the pine straw trailers, heard “a popping noise,” and saw the black passenger car speed off. One employee observed the Tahoe “drive in the direction of the secondary crime scene.”
An officer began searching behind the Home Depot, but to no avail. Crime scene tape was put up in the area of the lot where the shots were fired.
On November 1, 2023, Monroe officers arrested Rosa and charged him with murder and probation violation. After reviewing text messages in Rosa’s phone, the Monroe Police Department Criminal Investigation Division had identified a second shooting suspect, Bass.
On November 3, 2023, a lieutenant contacted T-Mobile to initiate an exigency ping for Bass’ phone, which showed his location as downtown Newnan. Further investigation revealed that Bass’ mother resided in Newnan, and the Newnan Police Department and their gang unit were alerted.
The gang unit conducted surveillance on his mother’s home while Monroe Police officers traveled to the area. When the ping began moving around the city, authorities believed Bass was traveling in his mother’s Honda Accord.
A while later, the ping revealed that Bass was back at his mother’s home, and the gang unit verified that the Accord was also back at the residence.
The Newnan SWAT team arrived and joined the forces already at the scene. They called for Bass’ exit from the building, and he walked out the front door, where he was arrested without incident and taken to the Newnan Police Department.
Officers also removed and detained his mother without issue. Evidence was removed from two bedrooms in the home and submitted.
Detectives transported Bass from Newnan to the Monroe Police Department, and after processing, they transported him to the Walton County Jail. Bass faces charges, including murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery/robbery by intimidation, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
This case is pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on October 31, 2023]
On 10/31/2023 I responded to the area of Home Depot due to a accident with injuries call. Dispatch also advised a subject appeared to have been shot as well and was possibly deceased.
I responded to the location emergency response. (lights and siren) Upon arrival I observed two vehicles at the intersection of W Spring near the Arbys restaurant. A dark in color SUV was sideways and had struck a smaller passenger car on the driver side door. When I exited my vehicle I was approached by a white male subject who began to tell me what had occurred. Prior to getting the details I checked on the female occupant in the Chevrolet Tahoe. The female was wearing a bright hoody style jacket, she was slumped over towards the center console area. There was a large amount of blood in the vehicle. The female did appear to be deceased at the time of my arrival.
I then checked on the driver in the Chevrolet Impala, he appeared to be in some pain from the accident. I advised him and all other citizens to back away from the vehicles in order to preserve the crime scene. Once I was able to get subjects away from the vehicle I began to speak with two witnesses about what they heard and observed. Below the subjects are listed below as well as the vehicles involved.
Witness 1- [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS #1] [REDACTED BY AGENCY]
Witness 2- [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS #2] [REDACTED BY AGENCY]
Vehicle 1- [REDACTED] (TAHOE/Deceased subject)
Vehicle 2- [REDACTED] (Driver two of accident)
A short time later Georgia State Patrol and Sgt. Temples arrived on location and assisted with placing crime scene tape up. I was told a male subject had ran away from the location back toward the Home Depot. I advised other responding officers to head towards Hwy 78 and towards Home Depot toward the tree line. As more information was gathered Officers were shifted to different locations.
I spoke with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS #1] who stated he was at the Arby’s when the Tahoe struck the Impala. [WITNESS #1] stated he observed a male in the vehicle on the passenger side. [WITNESS #1] stated he yelled at the male subject who then took off running behind the United Community Bank. [WITNESS #1] stated the male subject had dropped something along the path he fled, however [WITNESS #1] stated he retrieved the item and took off.
Descriptions provided from [WITNESS #1]:
Black male, 5’5-5’6, 140 in weight, white hoody, dark sweat pants and shoes.
I spoke with second witness [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS #2] [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS #2] stated he was at the Home Depot waiting to get his straw when the incident took place. [WITNESS #2] stated the Tahoe was parked near his vehicle near the two straw trailers. The straw trailers are lined up on the left side of the parking lot of the Home Depot parking lot. [WITNESS #2] stated heard what sounded like gun shots coming from the vehicles that were next to him. [WITNESS #2] stated the male subject who exited the victims car was a white male. (possibly light skinned) [WITNESS #2] stated the male then went back towards the Home Depot parking lot. [WITNESS #2] stated a short time later a black passenger vehicle picked the male up and they drove off. [WITNESS #2] stated the black vehicle exited at the intersection where Arby’s is. (Piedmont Walton across the street)
[WITNESS #2] stated the black passenger vehicle was a sports car, two door, with no tag or a drive out type license plate. (Temporary tag) Due to the statements of hearing gun shots at the Home Depot parking lot I advised officers on shift of another possible crime scene location. Officer Wukoson responded to the Home Depot to secure the area near the straw trailers. Officer Bradley made contact at IHOP to check security cameras. Multiple patrol officers responded to the location, see their narratives for further information. Multiple detectives from CID responded, CSI, and the GBI.
GSP worked the actual collision of the vehicles. See GSP Case Number: C000905586.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on October 31, 2023]
On 31 October 2023, at approximately 1949 hours, I, Officer Bradley, responded to a report of a vehicle crash at W. Spring St and Arby’s. Subsequent to the call coming out, dispatch advised that the driver of one of the vehicles was dead-on-arrival, with an apparent gunshot wound to the head.
Upon hearing this information, I asked the officer in charge where I needed to be. He advised that I head to the initial crime scene and assist with interviewing the witnesses and holding the crime scene. Ofc. Wukoson was already on scene and gathered the intel that was pertinent to the situation. A brief synopsis of the story as told by the witnesses:
One Home Depot employee was in the pine-straw trailer and one was behind the trailers smoking a cigarette. Both witnesses hear a “popping” noise, which one described to be similar to glass being broken with porcelain. Both witnesses saw a black passenger car speed off and the witness in the trailer saw the black SUV drive in the direction of the secondary crime scene. Both witnesses then saw a male run back towards Home Depot, between First Community Bank and IHOP. The male subject then got into the same black passenger car and it left the parking lot.
For the remainder of the time, I secured the crime scene.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #3 on October 31, 2023]
On 10/31/23 at approximately 2000 hours I, Officer Wukoson #368, responded to the area of Home Depot in reference to a vehicle crash with unknown injuries. As I was en route, Corporal Askey #363 arrived on scene and advised Dispatch of a subject with a gunshot wound to the head, obviously deceased, and a possible suspect running on foot towards Home Depot.
I arrived in the area and began searching behind Home Depot for a suspect matching the description given with negative contact. As I circled back around I noticed a group of individuals walking near several trailers parked on the northwestern edge of the Home Depot parking lot. I made contact with the individuals and discovered they were Home Depot employees. I asked if they had seen an individual matching the suspect’s description and two of the individuals- [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS #3] ([WITNESS #3]) and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS #4] ([WITNESS #4])-stated they had, and that the suspect had left the area in a black passenger car, with a paper or temporary tag, heading towards W Spring St. with an unknown direction of travel afterwards.
I learned that both [WITNESS #3] and [WITNESS #4] were witnesses to the incident and began to question them. They stated that a black SUV and a dark in color passenger car (which [WITNESS #4] stated he was certain was a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon) were parked near the trailers with their lights off. [WITNESS #3] stated that he was inside one of the trailers assisting a customer. [WITNESS #4] stated that he was standing beside a truck nearby smoking a cigarette, not observing the vehicles. The two initially thought nothing of either vehicle.
[WITNESS #3] stated that while inside of the trailer, he heard a loud bang or “pop,” and looked outside to investigate the noise. He noticed that the black SUV had left. He then heard a vehicle crash near the W Spring St. exit, by United Community Bank. [WITNESS #3] stated the black passenger car then drove towards the middle of the parking lot and came to a stop. [WITNESS #3] then observed a black male subject-wearing a dark hooded jacket, a possibly a beanie, with short dreadlocks (possibly bleached), run from the direction of the crash, between United Bank and IHOP, to the black passenger car. [WITNESS #3] stated the subject was limping and appeared to be injured. The subject then got into the passenger seat of the black car and the vehicle left toward W Spring St.
I then set up crime scene tape around the area where [WITNESS #3] and [WITNESS #4] stated the incident occurred. [WITNESS #4] stated that while taking his smoke break, he heard a sound that he described as “porcelain breaking glass,” and though that perhaps [WITNESS #3] had made the sound. [WITNESS #4] went to check on [WITNESS #3] and then heard the vehicle crash and observed a cloud of debris. [WITNESS #4] then observed the black male subject run across the parking lot and into the black passenger car. [WITNESS #4] stated the subject may have been wearing skinny jeans and Nike Jordan shoes.
I then spoke to the manager of Home Depot regarding camera footage of the incident. He advised that the district manager was the only one that could access it and was en route from Commerce. The footage was later retrieved by CID.
While standing by to maintain crime scene integrity, a separate call regarding a domestic situation at [1200 BLOCK] Custom Way; Apt. [REDACTED], was dispatched. I was relieved of my post and was instructed to head to that call. While en route, on S Hammond Dr., I found myself behind a black Chevrolet passenger car with a handwritten paper tag, which matched the description given to me by [WITNESS #3] and [WITNESS #4]. I informed Sergeant Scruggs #321 who advised I conduct an ARS stop of the vehicle to identify the occupants.
I conducted a traffic stop at the entrance of the Tall Oaks subdivision and identified the driver as [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [REDACTED]. I observed the vehicle and driver and nothing lead me to believe they were involved with the incident at Home Depot. I returned to service and began driving back towards [1200 BLOCK] Custom Way when I was advised to disregard by Dispatch. I then advised Dispatch I would be returning to Home Depot.
I arrived back on scene at Home Depot and assisted CID in sweeping the crime scene for any evidence, discovering none. I then stood by at the scene with Officer Bradley #372.
At approximately 2258 hours I was instructed to assist CID near the crime scene by Arby’s. I then stood by and continued to assist while CBI/CID conducted their investigations.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #4 on November 03, 2023]
On Friday, November 3, 2023, I (Det. Philhower) assisted the Monroe Police Department Criminal Investigations Division with apprehending a secondary murder suspect in Newnan, GA.
In the morning hours of Friday, November 3, 2023, Det. Gee received a phone call from Detective Studdard stating that they had information regarding another shooting suspect from Home Depot. Det. Gee, and I responded to the police department to be further briefed. At the police department, Sgt. Reynolds stated that he had been reviewing Kevin Rosa‘s phone and found messages back and forth to a Jagunte Jaylee Bass. Sgt. Reynolds stated that it appeared that Kevin and Jaqunte had planned to rob the victim ([VICTIM #1])
Throughout reviewing the phone messages, the Criminal Investigations Division established probable cause for arrest warrants on Jagunte Jaylee Bass. Lt. Powell contacted T-Mobile and completed an exigency ping form for the outstanding murder suspect’s phone. Once completed, the ping was shown in the downtown area of Newnan, GA. Further investigation from CID revealed that Jagunte’s mother resided at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Newnan, GA. Contact was made with the Newnan Police Department and their gang unit regarding apprehending the subject. The Newnan Police Department gang unit conducted surveillance on the residence while we drove to their city. Lt. Powell kept Detective Gee and myself updated on the location from the phone ping that he had received every (10) minutes.
About an hour from Newnan, GA, the ping began to move around the city. It was not completely clear what vehicle Jagunte was traveling in but CID believed it to be a 1998 Honda Accord bearing Georgia registration ([REDACTED]) registered to Jagunte’s mother [REDACTED]. The Newnan Police Department gang unit stated that when they conducted their initial ride by, the Honda Accord was on location at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Newnan, GA. When the ping began to move around the city, they advised that the Honda Accord was no longer on location at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Detective Gee, myself, and other gang units attempted to locate the vehicle as it traveled around the city but we were unsuccessful.
Approximately an hour later, Lt. Powell advised me that the phone ping was showing in the center of town again which was the same location as the original ping. Newnan PD conducted another ride by of the residence and they advised us that the Honda Accord was back on location at the residence. Newnan PD unmarked units kept surveillance on the house while Detective Gee and I responded to their police Department. At the police department, the search warrant was signed and their SWAT team was briefed regarding the execution of the arrest warrant and search warrant. During the briefing, Detective Lewis and Detective Xiong of the Monroe Police Department arrived at the Newnan Police Department. Once the brief was completed we all made our way to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Newnan, GA. The Newnan SWAT team pulled up to the front of the location while Detective Gee, myself, Detective Xiong, and Detective Lewis along with other Newnan officers’ covered the rear of the residence.
Jaqunte Jaylee Bass was called out of the residence by the Newnan SWAT team. Jagunte walked out the front door of the residence and was placed under arrest without issue. Jagunte’s mother was also removed from the residence and detained without issue. The Newnan SWAT team then cleared the house. Once cleared, they stated to Detective Gee and myself that it was safe to enter. Detective Lewis and Detective Xiong transported Jagunte Bass to the Newnan Police Department to conduct a recorded interview.
Detective Gee and I remained on the scene to search the house and collect evidence. All evidence was removed from the left middle and left rear bedroom of the residence. Evidence removed from the left middle bedroom is as follows:
-[SECTION REDACTED BY AGENCY]
Evidence removed from the back left bedroom is as follows:
-[SECTION REDACTED BY AGENCY]
All evidence was seized and logged onto property receipts #34313, 34316, and 34317 and then turned aver to Detective Lewis and Detective Xiong. Once the evidence was secured, the residence was also secured and all law enforcement left the scene.
Detective Gee and I returned to the Newnan Police Department and took custody of Jagunte Jaylee Bass. Detective Gee and I transported Jagunte Jaylee Bass from the Newnan Police Department back to the Monroe Police Department without issue. At the Monroe Police Department, Jagunte was processed and transported to the Walton County Jail by Officer Bradley. No further action was taken by Detective Gee and myself.
[End of Narrative]
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