Four Arrested in Fatal Hiram Shooting Within 24 Hours of Investigation

HIRAM, Ga. — Four suspects have been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting in Hiram that investigators say stemmed from an attempted purchase of a THC vape.

According to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the area near 107 Chamberlyn Lane after receiving reports of a person who had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies found a young man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Investigators believe the victim had arranged to meet with the suspects to purchase a THC (marijuana) vape when the encounter turned violent. Authorities said the suspects fired two shots at the victim during the interaction.

The victim managed to flee the scene before collapsing in the roadway. When emergency personnel arrived, he was not breathing. The victim later died from his injuries.

The shooting prompted a large-scale investigation involving the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Crime Scene Investigators, Patrol Division, Warrants Unit, Intelligence Unit, Drug Task Force agents and the SWAT Team.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from nearby homes, including Ring doorbell cameras, as well as footage from Flock camera systems. Authorities said the video evidence helped identify a truck seen leaving the area and provided investigators with license plate information.

Early the following morning, the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team executed a search warrant at a residence connected to the vehicle. Three suspects were taken into custody during that operation, while a fourth suspect was arrested later in the day.

The four suspects arrested are:

• Justin Mason Joseph, 15, charged as an adult
• Monsour Darwish, 17
• Muhamad Rabeea Darwish, 19
• Mohammad Basem Khatib, 20

All four suspects have been charged with:

• Felony Murder
• Malice Murder
• Aggravated Assault
• Aggravated Battery
• Tampering with Evidence
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said the arrests were made less than 24 hours after the shooting was reported.

Authorities extended their condolences to the victim’s family. The investigation remains ongoing.