In the small city of Metter, Georgia, a dispute that began over a missing dog escalated into a tragedy that claimed the life of 15-year-old Treyveon Amar Lanier. The young man, known affectionately as 'Trey' to his family and friends, was a rising sophomore at Metter High School where he was a multi-talented athlete, playing on the basketball, football, and track teams.
The fatal incident unfolded on the evening of Tuesday, June 14, 2022.
Earlier that evening, around 7:24 p.m., Metter police officers had been called to a residence on North Leroy Street regarding a disagreement about a lost dog. A short time later, another 911 call reported what sounded like children fighting in the same vicinity, which officers investigated and seemingly resolved. However, the peace was short-lived. At approximately 9:13 p.m., multiple frantic 911 calls flooded the emergency lines, reporting gunshots and individuals being struck by bullets in the same area.
When officers returned to the scene, they discovered that Treyveon Amar Lanier had been shot. He was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced deceased. A 14-year-old female was also wounded in the shooting and was transported to a hospital in stable condition. According to his family, Treyveon had been inside his home playing a video game when he heard a commotion outside. He went out to bring his sisters inside to safety when the shooting erupted, and he was tragically caught in the crossfire.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to lead the inquiry into the homicide. Their investigation led to the identification and arrest of two suspects. On July 26, 2022, Michael Mincy, a 34-year-old from Metter, was taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A second suspect, 32-year-old Tekiera Hunter, also from Metter, was arrested on August 3, 2022. She faces charges of felony murder and aggravated assault for her alleged involvement in the events that led to Lanier's death. Both suspects were booked into the Candler County Jail as the community mourned the loss of a promising young life cut short by violence.
