Police: Slain teen was armed during possible break-in on Crystal Drive

A minister is accused of tampering with evidence in the death of Jamyah Allen, who was shot to death during a possible break-in on June 9 at 6023 Crystal Drive, police testified in Columbus Recorder’s Court on Tuesday.

Joshua Waters, 27, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of removing a cellphone from the pockets of the 15-year-old boy who died of a gunshot wound to the upper chest. Judge Mary Buckner ordered Waters held in the Muscogee County Jail on a $2,500 bond on the felony charge and bound the case over to Superior Court.

Officer Garrett Young told the court that the teen was dead when police arrived at Sea Breeze Manufactured Home Community. A defendant told police the teen was armed with a gun around 11:15 p.m. while he attempted to enter a home. A gun was found in front of the residence, Garrett said.

Represented by public defender Charles Lykins, Waters told the court he was inside his home when he heard two gunshots and someone running outside. Jessica Carroll was by the teen’s side giving him CPR.

Waters said he held the teen’s head to keep his airway clear. “I did what she asked me to do,” he said.

As a minister, Waters said he also told the teen that if he passed away, he could go to Jesus.

“I didn’t stay more than 10 feet from the scene,” he said. “I cried like he was my son.”

Fearing the teen may wake up, Waters said he didn’t want the teen to wake up and shoot anybody. He took the cellphone from his pockets and placed it on his chest.

Garrett said he had no knowledge that Waters was trying to dispose of the weapon found in the area.

Carroll said she didn’t know Waters but she was the first at the scene. She recalled Waters stating that he didn’t want the teen to have anything illegal.

“He passed away in my arms,” she said.

No one has been named or charged in connection with the shooting death. It remains under investigation by detectives in the Investigative Services Bureau.

This story was originally published June 14, 2016 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Police: Slain teen was armed during possible break-in on Crystal Drive."