On a Friday afternoon, August 29, 2025, a fatal encounter unfolded inside the gym of the Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center in Columbus, Georgia, ending the life of 22-year-old Jacarie Charles. Charles was shot once in the chest and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Surveillance footage from the recreation center captured the tragic events, showing a suspect confronting Charles in an attempt to rob him of his belongings before the shooting.
After the shooting, the assailant was seen taking items from Charles before escaping.
The investigation into the death of Jacarie Charles led to the identification and arrest of several individuals. Navaris Johnson, 18, was identified through video evidence as the alleged gunman and was taken into custody on September 22, 2025. During a search of the residence where Johnson was apprehended, a stolen firearm was recovered. Johnson faces charges of murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Further investigation implicated several others in connection with the murder. JaMorris Baker, 20, was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault, accused of supplying the backpack used in the incident to Johnson just before the shooting. In the weeks that followed, authorities made more arrests. Christopher Culler, 18, Cortez Turner, 21, and Elijah Smith, 20, were all taken into custody and charged with murder and armed robbery.
The reach of the investigation extended beyond Georgia, leading to the arrest of a sixth suspect, Dominick Gill, 20, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 17, 2025. Gill is awaiting extradition to Columbus to face charges of murder and armed robbery. The investigation into the death of Jacarie Charles remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests as law enforcement continues to piece together the events of that tragic day.
