Social media captures Atmore man at party who was supposed to be under house arrest
Tolbert
Although no arrests have been made in the May 18 shootings in Atmore that left one person dead and eight injured, a social media post of the birthday bash at the old Escambia County Middle School revealed a photo of one man who was supposed to be under house arrest which resulted in warrants signed for his arrest.
Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy said photos from the 'Shake presents Taurus Takeover Birthday Bash' showed Jatyrain Aquamini Tolbert at the party.
Tolbert, 18, 806 East Horner St., Atmore was released on bond on May 13 with the condition he be placed under house arrest. Billy said once in custody a hearing will be held and if evidence shows Tolbert violated his bond conditions his bond will be revoked and he will remain in the Escambia County Detention Center until his cases are settled.
Tolbert was charged with attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle on April 28, 2018.
Court records show he was released May 3, 2018 on $30,000 bond. On Feb. 18, 2019 he was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property IV, unlawful possession of marijuana II and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Billy said the new charges resulted in Tolbert's $30,000 bond being revoked and he was placed back in the detention center.
Five days before the recent shootings in Atmore, Tolbert was released on bond again with the stipulation he remain under house arrest with the exception of going to school, church or the doctor's office.
"He was found on social media attending the party when he should have been at home under house arrest," Billy said. "Warrants have been issued for his arrest."
Investigation
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said Tuesday there have been no arrests in the shootings at the Atmore Family Life Center that claimed the life of Chirshawn Jermaine Westry, 19, of Atmore. The shooting also left eight other people injured with gunshot wounds.
"We have four investigators assigned to this case," Brooks said. "We've talked to witnesses and have executed three search warrants. We continue to work it everyday."
Brooks confirmed that the investigation includes looking at social media sites and cell phones.
Brooks would not reveal how many shots were fired and how many shooters officials believe were involved.
"There were multiple shell casings in and out of the building and we're letting science do its job," Brook said.
Malik Brown of Atmore leased the Atmore Family Life Center at 100 Martin Luther King Drive for his 19th birthday party that began at 10 p.m. on Friday, May 17. Brown estimated there were about 700 people at the party
Brooks said Atmore police responded to a 911 call about 2 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in reference to shots being fired.
He reported when officers arrived on the scene they heard gunshots going off around the property. Westry's body was found in the cafeteria of the building.
Witnesses said shots first rang out inside the building and then spilled out into the parking lot.
Reports also noted that there was only one door open at the building, with the others being chain locked. At least one student dove through a window to escape the shootings and others followed.
Brooks asks for anyone with any information about the shooting to call the Atmore Police Department at 251-368-9141 or their nearest law enforcement agency.
