In the late spring of 2015, a violent act shattered the peace of a Milledgeville, Georgia, community and irrevocably altered the lives of one family. On the evening of May 22nd, 26-year-old Jaquishia Smith, an African American woman known affectionately as 'Quita' to her loved ones, was fatally shot outside an apartment on West Thomas Court. Her mother was also wounded in the tragic incident that stemmed from a neighborhood dispute.
Remembered for her vibrant personality, Jaquishia's death was a profound loss for those who knew her.
The Milledgeville Police Department, in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, launched an intensive investigation into the shooting. Their efforts quickly identified a suspect, Dontavious Janard Dixon, who had been romantically involved with Smith prior to the end of their relationship. The motive for the shooting appeared to be an argument that occurred after Smith indicated she was going to call law enforcement about individuals with guns in the neighborhood where children were playing. In the ensuing confrontation, Dixon brandished a handgun and shot Smith in the chest. He also fired a second shot that struck her mother in the forearm.
Following the shooting, Dixon fled Baldwin County, prompting a search that extended beyond the local area. Through diligent police work, which included assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Dixon was located at a residence in Covington, Newton County. He was taken into custody and returned to Baldwin County to face charges of murder and aggravated assault.
In August 2016, Dontavious Janard Dixon appeared in Baldwin County Superior Court and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, as well as two counts of aggravated assault, battery, and possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer. Prior to his sentencing, Dixon expressed remorse for his actions. The judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison for the death of Jaquishia Smith and the wounding of her mother.
