On the night of New Year's Eve 2014, a tragic shooting in East Dublin, Georgia, claimed the life of 25-year-old Antone Perry Johnson-Averette. A resident of Laurens County for 23 years, Johnson-Averette worked as a self-employed roofer. At the time of his death, he and his fiancée, Lauren Charlene Tidd, were expecting a child.
The incident, which unfolded at a residence on U.S. 319, also left another individual, 17-year-old Peter Vanderlin, with gunshot wounds. When Laurens County sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene following a 911 call, they found Johnson-Averette deceased. Vanderlin was transported to a local hospital for treatment; the extent of his injuries was not immediately disclosed.
In the days that followed, the investigation led to the arrest of 38-year-old Corey Michael Bergeson of Statesboro, who was charged with murder. Authorities also announced they were searching for a second person of interest, a 29-year-old man from East Dublin. While some reports mentioned the possibility of other arrests in connection with the case, including a potential standoff, details regarding additional suspects and the resolution of their involvement remain unclear.
Further information regarding the motive behind the shooting and the specifics of the ensuing legal proceedings, including the trial and conviction of Corey Michael Bergeson, is not available in the public record. Similarly, updates on the long-term recovery of Peter Vanderlin have not been publicly documented. Antone Johnson-Averette was remembered by friends and family in a memorial service held on January 10, 2015.
