Newton Citizen

COVINGTON -- The Newton County Sheriff's Office has reported that one suspect is in custody in connection with the birthday party shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 27 in the Silos housing complex off Brown Bridge Road.

Dandre Knowles, 21, of 21524 S.W. 113th Ave., Miami, Fla., was arrested Wednesday by the Miami-Dade County Police during a traffic stop. Knowles remains in custody in Miami.

"Newton County issued warrants yesterday and about 30 minutes after it hit GCIC, he was picked up on a traffic stop by Miami-Dade County," said NCSO Public Information Officer Deputy Cortney Morrison.

Knowles faces six counts of aggravated assault, six counts of cruelty to children and one count of criminal damage to property in connection with the Newton County incident during which investigators believe more than 30 rounds were fired into a home at 355 Emerson Trail in the Legends of Ellington subdivision and two people were shot.

A woman guest sustained a wound to her leg and the male security guard hired for the party was shot in the arm during the incident. The injuries were not life-threatening.

NCSO investigators have said that casings discovered at the location indicate different caliber weapons were used during the shooting and bullets from the incident also struck vehicles in the driveway and some went into the house across the street.

"We're still investigating who else might be involved," said Morrison. "No warrants for anyone else have been issued at this time, but the case is still ongoing."

Morrison said plans are to begin extradition proceedings for Knowles as quickly as possible.