In the spring of 2013, a young woman’s life was tragically cut short in Augusta, Georgia. Courtney La'Aceondra Bell, a 23-year-old female, was fatally shot on April 30, 2013, at the Red Carpet Inn on Gordon Highway. The incident stemmed from an argument with a man who then pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots at her. Bell sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Following the shooting, authorities quickly identified a suspect.
Jabali Howard, a 29-year-old Augusta man, was arrested and charged with murder, aggravated assault, and weapon violations in connection with Bell's death. Investigators utilized surveillance camera footage from the motel and eyewitness accounts which indicated that Howard had been in a dispute with Bell just before the shooting.
At the time of the incident, Howard was on probation for three separate and unrelated assault convictions. Despite repeated probation violation warrants filed against him by his probation officer, he had been returned to probation instead of being incarcerated to complete his sentences. A new warrant for his arrest had been issued on the very day of the fatal shooting. In a court appearance on May 10, 2013, Howard was denied bond and remained in jail to await indictment and trial. Ultimately, the legal proceedings resulted in a 20-year prison sentence for the fatal shooting of Courtney La'Aceondra Bell.
