Alleged ringleader of Macon Wal-Mart stampede joins U.S. Army, case against him dismissed

The teenager authorities believe was the ringleader of the rampage through Macon's Zebulon Road Wal-Mart this past summer has been cleared of charges and is enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Vashaun Chandler Rozier, 18, faced charges of criminal street gang activity, rioting and criminal damage to property in the second degree for his part in the June 28 stampede involving about 88 people. Authorities alleged Rozier organized the party that most of the young people involved attended before going to the store about 2 a.m. that Sunday.

Rozier, a recent graduate of Westside High School, planned to follow in his father's footsteps by enlisting in the military.

"I dismissed the charges so that he could join the military," Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney David Cooke said. "Typically, in cases like this, they resolve with the defendant doing some type of community service. Honestly, I can think of no higher community service than serving our country in the armed forces."

Rozier has completed his physical and joined the Army, Cooke said.

"It's not uncommon. It's actually pretty traditional," Cooke said, noting former Georgia Gov. Zell Miller also was arrested at a young age after making a mistake. Miller joined the Marine Corps, "and he turned out OK," Cooke said.

At his Lizella home Friday afternoon, Rozier referred comment to his lawyer, Kevin Hicks. Hicks said by phone that Rozier has long aspired to be in the military and was "gainfully employed" at the time of the incident.

"We're happy that the charges were dropped," Rozier said. "He's gone through his processing (for the U.S. Army) and he's waiting for a ship-out date (for basic training)."

Cooke said he's proud of Rozier's decision to enlist.

"Obviously, people looked at him as a party organizer," Cooke said. "Now, he's showing true leadership (by) showing how to move forward."

Seven other defendants face pending charges of rioting and criminal damage to property in the second degree including: Akeyla Tionne Rozier; Jaleel Deshawn Parker; Hajjmalik Markaveli Renfroe; Lekelvin Lamont Renfroe; Kharron Nathan Green; Larry Dewayne White and Jakia Shantae Foster.

"There are active talks about resolving (those cases) with pre-trial diversion, where they give back to the community (by) doing community service," Cooke said.

He said once the defendants have completed those requirements and taken responsibility, his office would dismiss their cases.

Four of the eight arrested, including Rozier, initially faced charges of criminal street gang activity, but Cooke said those charge were dropped as the investigation revealed the incident to be more like "a flash mob gone awry."

A surveillance video of the incident shows two boys flashing a "W" sign with their hands, a possible gang signal which "could also mean Westside High School," Cooke said.

Bibb County sheriff's Lt. Randy Gonzales said the investigation is still open and "if they can identify other suspects, I'm sure they would face the same charges."

"I don't recall anything like this ever happening, even before I got in law enforcement," said Gonzales, a lifelong resident of Macon who has worked 27 years in law enforcement. "It's just one of those incidents I think where they just got a group up and just decided they wanted to go in the store and cause mayhem and cause the destruction they did."

Initial reports were that damages from the stampede totalled more than $2,000. However, the total restitution for all the defendants is about $550, Cooke said.

"Wal-Mart will be reimbursed," Cooke said. "Both the 100 Black Men of (Macon-)Middle Georgia and the NAACP have offered to pay all of the restitution."

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 10:18 PM with the headline "Alleged ringleader of Macon Wal-Mart stampede joins U.S. Army, case against him dismissed ."