In the spring of 2013, the Atlanta hip-hop community was rocked by the violent and public death of one of its own. James D. Lewiel, a 42-year-old African American male known in the music world as OG Double Dee, was fatally shot on the afternoon of April 11, 2013. A member of the Freebandz music group, Lewiel was behind the wheel of his new Maybach, a luxury sedan, during rush hour traffic on Interstate 20 near the Glenwood Avenue exit when the attack occurred.
The brazen nature of the shooting, with witnesses reporting gunfire coming from a white SUV that pulled alongside Lewiel's vehicle, sent shockwaves through the city.
The investigation into the shooting revealed a chilling sequence of events. Authorities believe the killing was premeditated, a belief echoed by Lewiel's family who reported that he had visited the South DeKalb Mall twice on the day of his murder and they suspect he was followed from that location. The assailant, or assailants, fired multiple shots into the driver's side of the Maybach, piercing the double-paned windows and striking Lewiel multiple times. An off-duty Atlanta firefighter was among the first to stop and render aid, but Lewiel's injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
For a time, the case remained unsolved, leaving a void in the local music scene and a family searching for answers. The DeKalb County Police Department's investigation eventually led them to a suspect already in custody on unrelated charges. Christopher Dyer, a 25-year-old male, was incarcerated in Florida for burglary and grand theft auto when he was charged with the murder of James Lewiel. Evidence gathered by detectives pointed to Dyer's involvement in the deadly interstate shooting. Following the charges, Dyer awaited extradition back to DeKalb County to face legal proceedings for his alleged role in the death of OG Double Dee. The investigation continued as authorities worked to ensure that all individuals involved in the planning and execution of the murder were brought to justice.
