On March 25, 2021, Paul Lokey, a 50-year-old man, was starting his first solo shift as a cab driver in Columbus, Georgia, a new job he had taken on just days prior. That morning, three individuals entered his taxi. After traveling less than a mile, Lokey was shot from the passenger side. The gunshot wound caused him to lose control of his vehicle and crash into a fire hydrant. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
A 41-year-old passenger in the cab was also injured in the incident.
The investigation into the death of Lokey, an Army veteran, led Columbus Police to two teenage suspects. Javeon Stephens and Jarius Roland, both 16 years old at the time, were arrested and charged with murder. Under a Georgia law, authorities are permitted to charge juveniles as adults for serious crimes. The case was prosecuted by the Newton County District Attorney's Office after the local district attorney had a legal conflict.
After nearly three years, the case saw a significant development. Just before jury selection was set to begin, Javeon Stephens chose to plead guilty to charges of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He is currently in custody awaiting his sentencing, which is scheduled for September 27. The charges against the other defendant are still pending, and as such, further comments from the District Attorney's office have been limited.
