On a tragic Sunday evening in LaGrange, Georgia, the life of 23-year-old Dearko Thornton was cut short. An African American male, Thornton was at the My Food Mart on Hamilton Street on March 20, 2022, when he was shot in the chest. Despite being rushed to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center, his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a suspect: Mario Alonzo Fannin. In the early hours of the following day, March 21, 2022, law enforcement located and apprehended Fannin on Juniper Street in LaGrange. Based on evidence gathered, including witness statements and surveillance footage, Fannin was arrested in connection with the death of Dearko Thornton.
Following his arrest, Mario Alonzo Fannin was charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was accused of shooting Thornton and then fleeing the scene on foot. While the initial steps of the legal process moved forward with these charges, public online sources indicate that the legal proceedings were ongoing as of early 2026. Further details regarding a trial, conviction, or the final resolution of the case against Fannin are not available in the provided online sources. The community was left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a young man's life as they awaited justice.
