In the winter of 2021, the life of 35-year-old Shatavon Hayes, an African American man known to his friends as 'Chip Deezy,' was tragically cut short in Albany, Georgia. On the afternoon of January 16th, an altercation in the 300 block of Grant Place escalated to violence, resulting in Hayes suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
His death marked the first homicide of the year in the city of Albany, sending ripples of grief and concern through the community.
Those who knew Shatavon Hayes remembered him as an ambitious, kind, and peaceful individual. His friend, Octavious Spencer, publicly mourned his loss, describing Hayes as a good-hearted person who did not deserve such a violent end to his life. The community at large was left devastated by the untimely death, with many hoping that the tragedy would serve as a catalyst for addressing the persistent issue of gun violence in the area. The collective response to his passing was a call for peace and a demand for justice for a life taken too soon.
The investigation into the death of Shatavon Hayes led to the swift arrest of two suspects. Shantevius Fruster, 22, and Percy Graham, 20, were taken into custody and held at the Dougherty County Jail. Both men were charged with felony murder in connection with the fatal shooting. In addition to the murder charge, Percy Graham also faced a charge of tampering with evidence. As the legal process began, the community closely watched the proceedings, hopeful that justice would be served for Shatavon Hayes.
