Third suspect arrested in deadly attack on Oconee County teen

Authorities on Thursday arrested a third suspect in connection with the death of a 19-year-old man attacked outside his Oconee County home.

The arrest of Ryan Timothy O’Neal, 18, of Athens, comes the day after a search for a suspect wanted in the case caused a scare at the State Botanical Garden in Athens. Oconee County sheriff’s deputies have not confirmed that O’Neal is the same suspect that prompted the search and a University of Georgia campuswide alert.

UGA Alert Message. The danger at the State Botanical Gardens on South Milledge Ave is over. There is no ongoing threat to the community.
— UGA (@universityofga) July 31, 2019

A car believed to belong to that suspect was spotted by a UGA police officer parked at the gardens, according to authorities. It was later determined to be driven by a family member, and the suspect was not in the area.

O’Neal was taken into custody in Wilkes County around 1 a.m. Thursday, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook. His arrest was a team effort by the Oconee agency, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office.

He faces a murder charge in the death of Joseph Kennell Jackson, who returned to his home late July 16 with significant injuries. Authorities believe he was attacked at the corner of Whippoorwill Road and Cumberland Drive. While few details have been released, investigators said a large amount of window safety glass was found at the scene.

MORE: Witnesses sought in deadly attack on man outside his home

Jackson was taken to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center shortly after midnight, where he later died.

Two others have been arrested in Jackson’s death. Brothers Akhemu Dunston, 18, and Quintin Dunston, 19, both from Athens, were taken into custody Tuesday. They are being held in the county jail without bond on charges of murder and aggravated assault.