In Macon, Georgia, a dispute over rent money at the Magnolia Court Motel on a Wednesday, May 5, 2021, escalated into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 32-year-old Lance Michael Terrell. The incident unfolded at the motel, located at the intersection of Houston Avenue, Pio Nono, and Broadway, a property that has since been demolished. Terrell was attempting to collect rent money when he reportedly knocked on the wrong door, leading to a deadly confrontation.
The man behind the door, William Lee Daniel, III, shot Terrell. After the shooting, Daniel fled the scene, running across Pio Nono Avenue. Terrell was transported to Atrium Health Navicent, where he succumbed to his injuries. The Bibb County Sheriff's Office quickly identified Daniel as the suspect and arrested him shortly after the incident.
Initially, Daniel faced charges of murder, aggravated assault, and a probation violation. However, in October 2024, he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. Daniel pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. In exchange for his plea, the more serious charges, including murder, were dropped. A judge sentenced William Lee Daniel, III to the maximum of 20 years in prison for the killing of Lance Michael Terrell. He will receive credit for the time he had already served in the county jail since his arrest.
