In the early morning hours of December 2, 2020, a tragic event unfolded in the parking lot of the Jefferson Grove apartments in Newnan, Georgia, leading to the death of 21-year-old Jaylin Jamal Everett. Everett had just picked up his girlfriend from her job and they were returning to their apartment around 2:30 a.m. when they noticed several individuals acting suspiciously in the parking lot. As they got out of their vehicle, three armed men approached Everett in an attempt to rob him.
Everett, who was also armed, drew his own weapon to defend himself. This resulted in an exchange of gunfire between Everett and the assailants. Witnesses reported hearing as many as six gunshots. During the shootout, Everett was struck in the neck and tragically died at the scene. One of the suspects was also shot in the foot. Following the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in a silver Kia Sorento. An alert police officer who was arriving at the complex noticed the speeding vehicle and was able to note its license plate number, which was instrumental in tracking down the suspects.
The investigation led to the arrests of four individuals from Columbus, Georgia: David Alberto Berrio, then 33, Angelina Marie Plemons, then 18, Mikelle Howard Harrison, then 23, and Cody Lamar Mercer, then 20. Plemons was identified as the getaway driver, while Berrio, Harrison, and Mercer were the three armed men who confronted Everett. Investigators determined that the group had driven from Columbus to Atlanta to break into cars and had made a detour in Newnan where they encountered Everett.
In August 2022, the case came to a legal conclusion. Berrio and Plemons accepted plea deals and agreed to testify against their co-defendants in exchange for lesser sentences. Harrison and Mercer were convicted by a Coweta County jury on multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Evidence presented at trial showed that Harrison fired his weapon ten times and that the fatal shot that killed Jaylin Everett came from his gun. Mercer was found to have fired twice. Harrison, who had fled to Michigan after the murder, was ultimately apprehended and brought back to Georgia to face justice. All four individuals were sentenced to prison for their roles in the robbery and murder of Jaylin Jamal Everett.
