In the quiet evening of February 10, 2026, a tragedy unfolded in East Macon, Georgia, that claimed the life of 28-year-old Ayana LaChae Smith. The incident, which also left her 2-year-old daughter wounded, cut short a young mother's life and left a community in mourning.
Around 8:30 p.m., the Bibb County Sheriff's Office received a call about a person down on Fulton Street. Upon arrival, deputies discovered both Ayana and her young daughter suffering from gunshot wounds. They were both rushed to a local hospital for medical attention. While the toddler was treated and listed in stable condition, Ayana Smith succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at approximately 9:30 p.m.
At the scene of the shooting, law enforcement officers encountered Marquiz Deonte Brooks. The 34-year-old Macon resident was taken into custody as a person of interest and was subsequently arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. Brooks was taken to the Bibb County Jail just after 10:00 p.m. and is being held without bond. He has been charged with murder and aggravated assault.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released details regarding a possible motive or the nature of the relationship between Brooks and Ayana Smith. The Bibb County Sheriff's Office continues to seek information from the public to piece together the events that led to this violent and tragic outcome.
