2 men charged with murder of Berry College student

FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. - The Floyd County Police Department has charged two men with the off-campus murder of a Berry College student.

Joseph McDaniel, 19, was shot and killed on Friday night at an off-campus location on Old Summerville Road, according to police.

Investigators said Ricket Damon Carter III, 19, and Troy Jamal Cokley, 19, have been charged with murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and possession of a controlled substance. 

In a statement, Floyd County Police said that the two men traveled to Rome to meet McDaniel. An argument between the men resulted in the death of the Berry student.

Officers said that they followed information to an apartment complex in Columbus, Ga., where they found and detained Carter and Cokley. 

McDaniel was a third-year student at Berry where he majored in Business Management. 

Berry College's Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students released the following statement in response to the McDaniel's passing: 

"As a college community already mourning the loss of one of its students, this additional tragedy cuts deep.  We grieve with Joseph's family and friends.  Students are encouraged to reach out to their Resident Advisors or Student Affairs staff members if they need assistance in connecting with a member of the Counseling Center or Chaplain's staff.

"The police are investigating all leads regarding the circumstances of the shooting and more information will be provided at a later time.

"Our community has been remarkable in showing support and care for each other in tragic circumstances and it is heartbreaking to need to do so again.  Please be as supportive of each other as possible as we all seek to make sense of this tragedy."