Amari Conwell, a 23-year-old African American man, tragically lost his life on the evening of February 3, 2022, in Columbus, Georgia. A promising young man, Amari was a 2017 graduate of Columbus High School and was in his third year at Columbus State University. He was also actively involved in his community, serving as the Assistant Director of the Summer Youth Program at the Urban League of Columbus.
His life was abruptly cut short by an act of gun violence on Sweetwater Drive.
On that fateful evening, Columbus Police Department officers responded to a call regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Amari Conwell suffering from gunshot wounds. He was quickly transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital for medical attention. Despite the efforts of the emergency room doctors, Amari succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 8:55 p.m. His body was subsequently sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's crime lab for an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death.
The investigation into Amari's death was handled by the Columbus Police Department's Violent Crimes detectives. For over a year, they pursued leads to identify the person or persons responsible for this senseless act. The case remained under active investigation, with law enforcement appealing to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest. The community mourned the loss of a young father, son, and respected member of the community.
A significant breakthrough in the case came on May 30, 2023, when detectives arrested 28-year-old Shevonte Joyner in connection with the murder of Amari Conwell. Joyner was taken into custody and charged with murder, along with other unspecified charges. He was scheduled to have his preliminary hearing in Recorder's Court on June 2, 2023. The arrest brought a sense of hope for justice to Amari's family and friends, who continue to grieve his untimely passing.
