VALDOSTA, GEORGIA – Two alleged gang members in Georgia have been charged with the murder of a former high school soccer star who tragically lost her life to a stray bullet while working at a bar over a year ago.
Tsion Clayton, 23, and Kimone Green, 21, are facing one count of malice murder for the killing of 21-year-old Brianna Long, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
The suspects were already in custody for unrelated cases when investigators linked them to Long’s death and issued arrest warrants.
Long, a student at Valdosta State University, was closing up at The Pier in Remerton when a fight outside the bar resulted in gunfire. She was struck by a stray bullet and later died at South Georgia Medical Center, while her co-worker was also injured but survived.
The GBI revealed that the two alleged killers were in the area searching for another person related to an ongoing gang dispute when the shots were fired. Additional charges are expected to be filed as the case progresses.
Long, a former standout soccer player at Paulding County High School, was set to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene before her untimely death.
In response to the arrests, Long’s mother, Brandi Spinks, requested prayers for the family during this challenging time. She expressed gratitude for answered prayers but acknowledged the difficult road ahead.
Spinks has since launched the Brianna Long Foundation to honor her daughter’s memory and continue her legacy of promoting dental care initiatives and providing access to dental services for underserved communities.
The foundation’s mission emphasizes creating a world where everyone can smile with confidence and live life to the fullest, a testament to Long’s enduring impact even after her tragic passing.