In the vibrant city of Savannah, Georgia, the anticipation builds as one of its most shocking and violent incidents is set to unfold in the legal arena. The trial for the mass shooting that shattered the peace of a lively Saturday evening in Ellis Square is now slated to commence on April 27, 2026, as revealed by Chatham County Superior Court Judge Christopher Middleton.

The incident, which occurred on May 18, 2024, was a night marred by chaos and fear when gunfire erupted amidst the usual weekend bustle, resulting in injuries to eleven individuals. This tragic event has since been etched into the community’s memory, leaving residents eager for justice and resolution.

In a courtroom where tension met anticipation, the scheduling announcement sparked varied reactions among the defense. Defense attorney Jamie Barrow voiced concerns about the readiness for the trial, stating, “I’m not ready,” while acknowledging the complexity of the case. Barrow affirmed a commitment to preparing diligently for the April date, emphasizing the substantial work required to navigate the intricacies involved.

As the city looks toward the upcoming trial, the case continues to resonate deeply within the community, highlighting the need for careful and thorough judicial proceedings in the quest for justice. The legal teams now face the challenge of untangling a case that has captured public attention, underscoring the far-reaching impact of that fateful night in Ellis Square.

“I’m not ready,” said defense attorney Jamie Barrow, “and I would exercise due diligence to be in April, but I would note, Your Honor, that there’s a lot to this.”

Since the shooting, seven individuals ranging 19-30-years-old were arrested.

Six, Omarre Harris, William Mitchell, Samira Kenny, Ericque Street, Cazare Cooper, and Jacorey Porter, were indicted Sept. 5, 2024, on 19 counts including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Now-21-year-old Jordan Jones was arrested as a suspect but was not indicted. In fact, he is named as a victim in the indictment.

Despite the sheer magnitude of the case, the state told the court it should be a speedy trial.

“Evidence wise from the state I think we can be done with our evidence in three days depending on who comes to trial,” said Assistant District Attorney Lyle Burnham.

Some defendants are weighting plea deals or may have a separate trial.

Now-30-year-old Samira Kenny is a defendant in a separate aggravated assault case that happened two months before the Ellis Square shooting.

Because Burnham said some of the evidence overlaps in the cases, her cases could likely be combined into one, separate trial.

A big topic of discussion at Friday’s hearing was the case’s public interest and how that could impact a jury pool, which in this case, will be large.

“It’s likely that we file a motion to simply use a questionnaire that has nothing other than an intent to screen what the media attention has done in this case,” said defense attorney Skye Musson.

While the exact number of defendants in the tentative April trial is unknown at this time, all six will remain in jail at this time.