Suspect in fatal Peachtree Mall shooting turns himself in
The man accused of shooting and killing 24-year-old Anthony Meredith at Peachtree Mall last month turned himself into authorities Monday, according to Columbus police.
Xzavaien Jones, 18, of Columbus was apprehended on a murder warrant without incident and booked into the Muscogee County Jail without bond. His preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday in Recorder’s Court.
Meredith’s mother said her son was shopping for Easter clothes for his 3-year-old daughter when he was shot to death March 28 at the mall. Authorities said they found the University of Phoenix graduate lying near the southwest entrance of the shopping center when they responded to the scene around 7:28 p.m.
He was rushed to Midtown Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead of multiple gunshot wounds at 8:05 p.m., said Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.
Peachtree Mall closed the following day for Easter Sunday but reopened Monday morning as normal.
Their background
A police report showed Meredith also was the victim of an Oct. 29 shooting that occurred on Delray Drive. The bullet went through his left cheek and into his right chest cavity.
The report listed no suspects, but said a tan or champagne SUV (possibly a Ford Expedition or Ford Explorer) was seen in the area.
According to Muscogee County court records, Jones last year was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and with felony possession, manufacture and distribution of cocaine.
On Aug. 28, his bonds were set at $358 on the misdemeanor and $5,971 on the felony. Moses Bonding put up the bonds, according to court records. The case apparently remains unresolved.
Court records listed Jones’ address as 4220 Forrest Road. A check of Meredith’s criminal history revealed documents listing his address as 2613 Tupelo Drive, off Forrest Road about four blocks east of Jones’ residence.
According to Meredith’s record, he on July 22, 2013, was indicted on charges stemming from two separate incidents the previous year:
Authorities alleged that on March 20, 2012, he was speeding 52 mph in a 30-mph zone on Floyd Road, driving while his license was suspended and wearing no seat belt. Police also charged him with possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it, and with obstructing officers by running from them.
Police further alleged that on the following April 23, Meredith on Forrest Road again was driving while his license was suspended, again obstructed police by running away, and again possessed marijuana with the intent of distributing it.
He pleaded guilty on Oct. 30, 2013, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with 12 months to serve on a single drug charge and 12 months to serve concurrently on one count each of driving while his license was suspended and obstructing police. He was fined $500.
On March 18, 2015, Meredith was back in jail after his probation officer filed notice that he had failed to report on Dec. 29, 2014, and had fallen $2,128 behind on paying fines and court fees. On July 2, a judge sentenced Meredith to 120 days in jail, but with credit for the time he already served.
Because Meredith was a trusty who worked in the Columbus Stockade kitchen, he got extra credit for his time and was released that same day, authorities said.
This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 2:23 PM with the headline "Suspect in fatal Peachtree Mall shooting turns himself in."