In the late summer of 2015, the life of a young Savannah man, known for his respectful nature and love for his family, was tragically cut short. Javon Malik Wilson, a 19-year-old African American male, was killed on Saturday, September 12, 2015, in a shooting that erupted on the 1400 block of Barnes Drive. The incident not only claimed Wilson's life but also resulted in the death of 24-year-old Jayquan Turner and left 19-year-old Asim Simmons injured. Remembered by loved ones as a smart and loving individual who enjoyed basketball and cheering for the Steelers, his death sent ripples of grief through his community.
The events that led to the fatal shooting reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a robbery that had occurred a day prior. On that Saturday, Wilson and Simmons were outside an apartment building with the intention of selling a cell phone. They were approached by at least two individuals, and the encounter quickly escalated into violence. In an attempt to defend themselves, shots were fired, leading to the deadly outcome that left two young men dead and another wounded. The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department swiftly began an investigation to piece together the events of that day and bring those responsible to justice.
The subsequent investigation led to a series of arrests as law enforcement worked to unravel the complexities of the case. One of the suspects, 32-year-old Emile Randolph, was initially taken into custody on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before facing a murder charge in connection with the shooting. Another man, 18-year-old Tom Frazier, was arrested and charged with armed robbery. In a turn of events, Asim Simmons, who was injured in the incident, was also arrested and faced charges of murder and armed robbery. Authorities also issued arrest warrants for a fourth individual, 20-year-old Quamelius Lee, for his alleged involvement, seeking charges of murder and armed robbery against him. The collaborative efforts of the Southeast Region Fugitive Task Force and the Undercover Narcotics Investigation Team were instrumental in apprehending the suspects.
