In the late evening of Sunday, August 17, 2025, the life of 22-year-old D’Corby “Kobe” Da’Qun Benning of Augusta, Georgia, was tragically cut short. Benning, a male, was standing outside a residence in the 400 block of Edgar Circle in Thomson, Georgia, when a drive-by shooting occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. He was struck by gunfire and rushed to Piedmont McDuffie Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Another individual, 25-year-old Ja’Marcia Hampton, was also wounded in the shooting and was airlifted to a hospital in Augusta for treatment.
The investigation into the homicide was quickly taken up by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at the request of the Thomson Police Department. Their efforts led to the identification and arrest of several suspects. On August 22, 2025, authorities apprehended 20-year-old Santanna Mance of Thomson, charging him with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.
Further investigation led to the arrests of two more individuals in connection with the fatal shooting. Jacob Deon, 26, and Jamari Jackson, 21, were also taken into custody and faced charges of Murder, Aggravated Assault, and firearm-related offenses. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has indicated that the investigation remains active and that additional arrests may be forthcoming as they continue to piece together the events of that night. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed at the GBI Medical Examiner's Office in Decatur to formally determine the cause of death.
