On a Sunday evening in Sylacauga, Alabama, the life of 22-year-old Dontez Lamar Garrett was tragically cut short. On September 25, 2022, in the area of Seminole Avenue, gunfire erupted, leaving Garrett, a male resident of Sylacauga, with fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Responding to a call at approximately 8:00 p.m., deputies from the Talladega County Sheriff's Office discovered two men with apparent gunshot wounds.
While Garrett succumbed to his injuries, a second victim, a 25-year-old man, was also found to have been shot multiple times. This individual was initially transported to Coosa Valley Medical Center and later airlifted to UAB Hospital for further treatment. The exchange of gunfire also resulted in damage to two vehicles.
Dontez Lamar Garrett, known affectionately as 'Jap' to his family and friends, was remembered as a humorous and laughter-filled young man with a smile that could illuminate a room. A 2018 graduate of B.B. Comer Memorial High School, he was a father to his son, Messiah Jenkins. His family and loved ones held a celebration of his life on October 8, 2022, at Community Funeral Home Chapel, followed by his interment at Sylacauga Cemetery.
In the wake of the shooting, the Talladega County Sheriff's Office announced that an investigation into the homicide was underway. Authorities have appealed to the public for any information regarding the murder of Dontez Lamar Garrett and have offered a monetary reward for tips that lead to the identification and arrest of the person or persons responsible. As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, and no suspects have been publicly identified, nor have any arrests been announced in connection with the case.
