GBI: Three arrested for allegedly shooting, killing man outside Cordele apartment
GBI: Three arrested for allegedly shooting, killing man outside Cordele apartment
The agency was asked by the Cordele Police Department in to investigate the shooting, which happened back in January.
CORDELE, Ga. — Another man was arrested in a Cordele homicide that left a 30-year-old man dead, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
Back in April, the GBI announced Jayveon Royal and Kavein Butler were both arrested in the shooting death of Davieon Lavant. Royal was arrested on murder charges while Butler was arrested as a “party” to Lavant’s death.
Then, in May, the GBI charged another man, 21-year-old Kevin Bernard West Jr, for his alleged role in Lavant’s death, the GBI said in a press release on Friday. West was charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Lavant was found shot on Jan. 5 shortly before 1 a.m. When the Cordele Police Department arrived at the Hilltop Apartments in the 200 block of W 24th Avenue, they found Lavant suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, the GBI said.
He was taken to the hospital but he would die from his injuries. Then, in the months after the shooting, Royal and Butler would both be charged in the Lavant’s death, the GBI says. Royal was charged with murder back in January and Butler was charged in February.
West was arrested and booked into the Crisp County jail
The shooting of Lavant is still under investigation. The GBI asks any one with information to call either the GBI investigative office in Americus at 229-931-2439 or the Cordele Police Department at 229-276-2921.
Another shooting death arrest:
Back in March, the GBI says they arrested another man in a separate, “unrelated” shooting death.
Lee Savage III was arrested in the shooting death of Rondarrius Wedges and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault back on March 28.
Wedges was shot to death back in September 2023. Residents in the 1000 block of Tulip Avenue heard multiple gunshots. When officers with the Cordele Police Department arrived, residents flagged officers down. They then led officers to a car where Wedges was found with multiple gunshot wounds.
They tried to save his life, but he would later die from his injuries, the GBI said.
The Cordele Police Department asked the GBI to investigate both shootings.
MORE THAN A NUMBER:
RELATED: More Than A Number: Family Form
RELATED: After teen killed by drunk driver in 2021, Macon family remembers son’s legacy in big and small ways
More Than A Number is a Poynter-Stand Together award-winning project by Justin Baxley designed to help families of loved ones impacted by tragedy and trauma interact with journalists in a less intrusive way. Families are able to fill out a form about their family and also receive an in-depth guide on the next steps.
More Than A Number officially launched in August with a streaming special available on 13WMAZ+ for on-demand streaming. For any questions or concerns about More Than A Number, contact us here at the following email: MoreThanANumber@13wmaz.com