In the early morning hours of April 19, 2026, a tragedy unfolded in Rome, Georgia, that cut short the life of 22-year-old Chancellore Jabez Donaldson. Known to his loved ones as "Chance," he was described as a bright light with a warm smile and a kind spirit, whose presence was uplifting to all who knew him.
The fatal encounter occurred at a Family Dollar on North Broad Street. According to his mother, Donaldson was attempting to protect a woman from being assaulted inside a club when the aggressor slapped him. Donaldson reportedly walked away from the initial confrontation. However, the man followed him outside to his car. It is believed the man then struck Donaldson with a gun before shooting him as he tried to walk away again. First responders found Donaldson at the scene with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In the days following the shooting, the Rome Police Department identified 25-year-old Chancelor Lamar Crawford as the suspect and secured a felony murder warrant for his arrest. Authorities believe Crawford may be in the Northwest Georgia or Metro Atlanta area and have warned the public that he should be considered armed and dangerous. As of late April 2026, a manhunt for Crawford was underway, with police appealing to the public for any information regarding his whereabouts.
The community has been left to mourn the loss of a young man who was cherished by his family and friends. His mother remembers him as a lovable person who did not have a selfish heart. Services to celebrate his life were scheduled to be held at the Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Rome, with interment to follow at Eastview Cemetery.
