Teens arrested for Homicide on Utica Mill Hill

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged two teenagers in a homicide that occurred Thursday morning on the Utica Mill Hill. According to investigators, dispatchers received a phone call around 7:36am from a woman at 24 Ames Street who reportedly said that two masked men had broken into her home, had shot a male inside the home, and had tied her up. Deputies arrived on the scene around 7:41am.  Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis was also notified.  The woman had also sustained an injury due to a gunshot to the foot.  The men reportedly left the scene after the woman called the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators also executed a search warrant as part of the investigation across the street at 23 Ames Street.  There deputies charged 18-year-old James William Toward and 16-year-old Donte Robert Bacon with murder, first-degree burglary, kidnapping, possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime and grand larceny.  According to the warrants, Toward and Bacon caused the death of Scott Andrew Johnson, who was shot in the chest with a handgun.  The two also entered the dwelling without consent and with intent to commit a crime therein and entered the dwelling at night and/or armed with a deadly weapon.  Toward and Bacon also did unlawfully seize, confine, kidnap or abduct Jody Corley.  The two are also accused of knowingly and willfully possessing and displaying a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.  Toward and Bacon also reportedly stole three electric guitars from the scene of the homicide as well. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation and more charges in unrelated crimes are pending.