Mallory Lyric Warden was 19 when she was shot on the night of September 18, 2024. Her body was found in a car on South Main Street in Ellijay, but investigators say the shooting occurred on Talona Road in Gilmer County. She was taken to a local hospital and died of her wounds.

Investigators linked the killing to a planned armed robbery scheme carried out by a group of young people who staged fake drug deals to rob victims of THC vape cartridges. Multiple suspects, mostly aged between 15 and 21, were arrested and charged in connection with the robberies and Mallory’s death. The indictment and subsequent pleas include felony murder and armed robbery counts; one defendant was identified as the shooter and later pled guilty to felony murder and received a life sentence. Several others pled guilty to felony murder, armed robbery, manslaughter or related charges and received lengthy prison terms or probation.

Mallory had attended Pickens High School. If anyone knew her, saw her on September 18, 2024, or has information about the robberies and those involved, please come forward.