In the quiet hours of an August morning in Carrollton, Georgia, just a day after celebrating his thirteenth birthday, Nizzear NayQwuan Rodriguez was tragically killed. On August 24, 2014, the young male was shot in the head as he slept in his bed at his grandmother's townhome. Nizzear, a student at Carrollton Junior High School, was known for his love of basketball, football, and video games. He was described as a happy and caring child who enjoyed cooking breakfast for his cousins on Saturday mornings.
The investigation into the young teen's death quickly led to arrests. Within hours, police apprehended 17-year-old Malik Davis. His arrest was soon followed by the capture of 21-year-old Kenneth Wheat and 24-year-old Jackquline Leann Freeman. A fourth individual, 34-year-old Oleida Ward, was also taken into custody. The sudden and violent nature of the crime sent shockwaves through the community, prompting a swift law enforcement response.
Authorities believe that Davis and Wheat entered the apartment with the intent to rob the home. There was also speculation that the shooting may have been a case of mistaken identity stemming from an altercation involving the suspects at a local bar earlier that night. Investigators determined that Nizzear himself was not the intended target. It is believed that after the shooting, Davis and Wheat fled the scene in a getaway car driven by Freeman.
Malik Davis and Kenneth Wheat faced charges including murder, burglary, and home invasion. Jackquline Leann Freeman was also charged with murder. Oleida Ward was charged with making false statements to the police during the investigation. The family of Nizzear Rodriguez was left to grapple with the senseless loss of a child who had just begun his teenage years.
