In the early morning hours of May 26, 2024, the life of 36-year-old Jakia De'ceontae Lanier, a Black/African American female from Savannah, Georgia, was tragically cut short in a sudden act of violence. Lanier was at her home in the 500 block of Emerald Drive, asleep with her fiancé, Willie Roberson, and their baby, when the unthinkable happened. A single bullet pierced through their window, striking the headboard before fatally wounding her.
Awakened by the sound, Roberson quickly
secured their child before discovering Lanier unresponsive with a gunshot wound to her arm. Despite his desperate attempts to communicate with her, she tragically succumbed to her injuries. Emergency services transported Lanier to Memorial Health University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The Chatham County Coroner's Office confirmed she had been shot at least once and scheduled an autopsy as part of the homicide investigation.
Jakia Lanier was a beloved mother of four children. Her fiancé described her as a 'real-life angel,' and her family is grappling with the profound loss. In the wake of the shooting, Roberson has made public appeals for justice, expressing his belief that the bullet was not intended for Lanier or him.
As of early 2026, no arrests have been made in connection with the death of Jakia Lanier. The Savannah Police Department's investigation into the homicide is ongoing, and they continue to seek information from the public.
