In the early morning hours of May 21, 2022, a dispute on Perkins Street in Rome, Georgia, tragically escalated, ending the life of 21-year-old Derricus Smith. A former standout linebacker for Rome High School's two-time state championship-winning football team, Smith was remembered by friends and family as 'Maddog.' He was a beloved member of the community and would have turned 22 just eight days after his death.
The incident began with an altercation that turned physical. Rome police received a call about a fight and, while en route, were updated that a male had been shot and was lying in the roadway. Upon arrival at approximately 2:09 a.m., officers discovered Smith with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses reported seeing several individuals jump into a black Dodge Challenger and flee the scene just before police arrived.
The investigation into the shooting death of Derricus Smith led to the initial arrests of four individuals: Corey Lashun Chatman Jr., Justin Antonio Glynn, Malachai Alexander Williams, and Marquivias Nicholson. They originally faced charges of murder and gang activity. However, as the investigation progressed, it was determined that the shooting was the result of an argument rather than a coordinated gang-related attack, leading to the dismissal of the gang charges. Additionally, all charges against Marquivias Nicholson were dropped in an updated 2024 indictment.
In June 2024, the remaining three men pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Corey Lashun Chatman Jr., 19, and Justin Antonio Glynn, 21, both pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. They were each sentenced to 25 years, with six to be served in prison. Malachai Alexander Williams, 21, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, receiving a sentence of 15 years with six to be served in prison. During the legal proceedings, court filings indicated that Glynn identified Chatman as the shooter. An assistant district attorney commented on the case, stating, 'We're in the middle of an epidemic of people bringing guns to a fistfight.'
