In the early morning hours of April 11, 2025, the quiet of a residence on Robinson Road in Barney, Georgia, was shattered. It was there that 74-year-old Leona Smith, a Black/African American female, was found deceased. The Brooks County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at approximately 5:45 a.m. and discovered that Smith had sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
The nature of her death immediately prompted a homicide investigation, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation being called in to assist local law enforcement.
The investigation into Leona Smith's death progressed swiftly. Within days, authorities identified a suspect and took him into custody. Tom Roberts, a 63-year-old man also from Barney, was arrested in connection with the shooting. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that Roberts had been charged with malice murder. Following his arrest, he was booked into the Brooks County Jail. Investigators have indicated that they do not believe anyone else was involved in the incident.
The case against Tom Roberts is now moving through the legal system. While an initial charge has been filed, authorities have stated that additional charges could be forthcoming as the investigation continues. The case file is expected to be handed over to the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for prosecution. The investigation remains active and ongoing as law enforcement continues to gather information surrounding the death of Leona Smith.
