Hispanic residents in two south Georgia counties have been living in terror since a recent home invasion spree

Michael King:

In Tift and Colquitt Counties, the fears have been quelled somewhat with the arrest of three people. Two men, 19-year-old Stacy Smith and 27-year-old Jamie Underwood have been charged, along with a woman, 26-year-old Jennifer Wilson, have been charged in the attacks.

Last Friday, six people were killed by bat-wielding attackers who barged into four trailers, bludgeoning sleeping occupants and demanding money.

Investigators from the GBI and the two counties say the suspects are being investigated in connection with 20 home invasions in south Georgia over the past 90 days.

Officials say robbery was the motive in the home invasions but they are not calling the attacks racial.

“We’re dealing with vicious criminals and they were preying upon weak people. And that’s what this has turned out to be, a series of heinous crimes,” said GBI director Vernon Keenan.

Keenan says the suspects, who are all from Moultrie, did not know their victims, none of whom spoke English.

The attacks occurred at four separate trailer parks within a four hour period Friday. Five of the victims were beaten to death with an aluminum baseball bat. One had been shot to death.

Arrests Made in Ga. Hispanic Killings