In the winter of 2026, the life of a promising young Black/African American woman, Lyric Latrice Farley, was tragically cut short at the age of 19. On the afternoon of Saturday, February 7th, she was found inside her car in a parking lot behind a Dollar General store off of Central Church Road and Kings Highway in Douglasville, Georgia. First responders were called to the scene following reports of gunfire and discovered Farley, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lyric was a bright and ambitious student at the University of West Georgia, where she was studying special education with dreams of working with children. A graduate of Carrollton High School, she had been active in the JROTC and the color guard. Her mother described her as a "bright young lady" who was loving, caring, and had a big heart. She was a wrestling champion in high school and had a collection of awards for her achievements in band and on the honor roll. Her family was left devastated by the sudden and violent loss.
The investigation into her death moved swiftly. Through a combination of physical evidence, surveillance video from multiple locations, and witness statements, investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office were able to quickly identify a suspect. In the early morning hours of the following day, Sunday, February 8th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 20 near Highway 5 and took 20-year-old David Marc Anthony Powell into custody without incident.
Authorities revealed that Farley and Powell knew each other and had a prior personal relationship, though the specific nature of their connection was not detailed. Investigators believe the two had arranged to meet in the parking lot following a disagreement. It was during this meeting that Farley was fatally shot. Powell, a resident of Douglasville, was subsequently charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. As part of the investigation, multiple firearms and vehicles believed to be connected to the case were recovered through search warrants. Powell made his initial court appearance and was expected to have a bond hearing. The investigation remains active as the legal process moves forward.
