In what should have been a joyous celebration, 18-year-old Jaquarious Benjamin was tragically killed in Rochelle, Georgia. The fatal incident occurred early on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at a gathering to celebrate what would have been his 19th birthday just two days later.
The party, held at an outdoor location on Dennis Street, took a dark turn when another group, with whom there was a history of disagreements, arrived.
A verbal dispute between the two rival groups quickly escalated into gunfire. In the ensuing violence, Jaquarious Benjamin was struck by a single gunshot, which proved to be fatal. Three other individuals were also injured during the shooting.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation. Their efforts quickly led to the identification of two suspects: 20-year-old Marquavous Coley and his 17-year-old brother, both from Rochelle. Arrest warrants were issued, and both brothers were taken into custody. They each face one count of felony murder and three counts of aggravated assault. Following their arrest, a Superior Court judge denied bond for both Marquavous and his younger brother.
