GAINESVILLE — After a two week investigation, Hall County authorities have made an arrest in a shooting that left a man injured at a birthday party at Lake Lanier Islands last month.
Hall County Sheriff's Deputy Nicole Bailes said an anonymous email with photos from the August 16th birthday party led authorities to 23-year-old Andrew Joyce of Decatur. Bailes said authorities obtained warrants for Joyce on August 27. With the assistance of the Dekalb County Fugitive Task Force, Joyce was taken into custody without incident on August 28 at a residence in Decatur.
Joyce is in the Hall County Jail, facing charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault and possession of a gun by a convicted felon. He has been denied bond, according to Bailes, and he faces a committal hearing on September 14.
Bailes said in a phone interview that other party-goers will likely be facing obstruction charges in the case.
"As far as the shooting itself, we feel like Joyce acted alone," said Bailes.
"Alcohol and drugs are believed to be a big part of what caused this shooting."
Also at issue for police is whether or not Davis was invited or not. Initial reports stated that he and two other guests crashed the party uninvited, but investigators now believe they were, in fact, invited and that "everybody knew everybody."
"We just did not have full cooperation on their identities," said Bailes.
Joyce's alleged victim, Malik Davis of Union City, was released from Northeast Georgia Medical Center over the weekend. Bailes said he is recovering at home.
Authorities have not said what the motivation in the shooting might have been.
AccessWDUN's Brian Stewart contributed to this story.
