In the late summer of 2015, a dispute over a robbery would tragically cut short the life of 24-year-old Jayquan Turner in Savannah, Georgia. On September 12th, on the 1400 block of Barnes Drive in West Savannah, a violent altercation erupted that would leave two men dead and another wounded. The incident was the culmination of a conflict that began the previous day with an armed robbery.
The shooting claimed the life of Turner and also that of 19-year-old Ja'Von Wilson. A third individual, 19-year-old Asim Simmons, was also shot but survived his injuries. The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department's investigation into the triple shooting quickly identified several individuals believed to be involved. The motive for the deadly encounter was reportedly a meeting to settle a dispute concerning the robbery of a cellphone at gunpoint from Shawn Rhinehart the day before the shooting.
In the weeks and months that followed, authorities made a series of arrests. Emile Randolph, 32, was charged with murder in connection with the death of Ja'Von Wilson. Asim Jelani Simmons Jr., 19, and Quamelius “Mook” Lee, 20, were indicted for the murder of Jayquan Turner. Their charges included malice murder, felony murder, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Simmons and Lee were also indicted on armed robbery charges for the incident involving the cellphone the day prior. Another man, 18-year-old Tom Frazier, was also arrested and charged with armed robbery in connection to the events. Quamelius Lee initially evaded capture, prompting a request for public assistance in locating him before he was ultimately apprehended.
