Kyle Royal died after a Jan. 16 shooting outside Magic City, an unlicensed club at 3200 Mike Padgett Highway. Richmond County authorities believe the teen was fatally shot during a
gunfire exchange about 2 a.m.

“It’s frustrating (for the family),” said Sgt. Bill Leisey, “but they understand that we’re not getting leads.”

In April the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office offered a reward of $5,000 in the unsolved case, but it produced few results.

Leisey said one of the issues in this case is that there were a number of people shooting in the chaos after a fight started on the dance floor and spilled into the parking lot. Investigators estimate there were 200 people at the club.

For investigators, the situation presents a problem in finding witnesses and finding the owner of the .45-caliber bullet that hit the teen in the head.

Investigators found more than 30 shells from .32-caliber, .38-caliber, .40-caliber, .45-caliber and 9 mm weapons on Magic City’s property and on the road in front of the building.

Royal’s body was found in a wrecked car at Lumpkin Road and Mike Padgett
Highway after the car’s driver lost control turning onto Lumpkin Road. Authorities believe Royal was hit while the vehicle fled the area.

Another man, identified as LaBrall Smith, 19, was shot in the leg in the parking lot gun battle.

Patrick Walton, the owner of Magic City, was charged with a felony count of giving a false statement in a government matter. His business license had been revoked in December.