Javion Lamar Gary, a 16-year-old male, was a promising and beloved football player at Loachapoka High School, known for his infectious smile and happy-go-lucky energy. His coaches described him as the heartbeat of the team, a passionate and uplifting presence who was seen as a leader among his peers. He had a knack for making people laugh and was considered a 'class clown' who could light up any room. A mentor who knew him from a young age remembered him as having a 'heart of gold.'
On the evening of Thursday, August 8, 2024, Javion's life was tragically cut short. After leaving football practice, he was involved in a shooting incident near a basketball court on Union Camp Road in Notasulga, Macon County. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they found Javion deceased. Another teenager, a 17-year-old classmate, was also injured in the shooting but survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led to the apprehension of two suspects in Tuscaloosa County on Monday, August 12. Elijah Rogers and Barthonia Howard, both 18 years old and from Notasulga, were arrested in connection with the homicide. Both Rogers and Howard were formally charged with murder and attempted murder and were booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail with a hold for Macon County and no bond. Authorities have confirmed that both suspects will be tried as adults. A motive for the shooting has not been publicly disclosed by authorities.
