In the early morning hours of March 23, 2024, a burst of violence shattered the peace at the This and That Lounge on South Main Street in Sylvester, Georgia, leaving a local family and the community in mourning. James Otis Collins, a 53-year-old African American man, was fatally shot at approximately 3 a.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was subsequently transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death. Born and raised in Sylvester, Collins was a well-known figure, educated in the Worth County Public Schools and remembered by those who knew him for his love of motorcycles and cars.
The investigation into the shooting, a joint effort between the Sylvester Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, moved swiftly. Just two days after the incident, on March 25, 2024, an arrest was made in connection with the death of James Otis Collins. Authorities took 43-year-old Juamarino White into custody at a residence on Covey Street in Sylvester. The Sylvester Police Chief later confirmed that investigators believe White was the individual who fired the fatal shots.
Following his arrest, Juamarino White faced a series of serious charges, including felony voluntary manslaughter, felony tampering with evidence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As the legal process against White began to unfold, the community grappled with the sudden loss of a man described as a devoted father, brother, and friend. The investigation also brought scrutiny upon the This and That Lounge, with questions arising about the security measures in place at the establishment on the night of the deadly shooting. Funeral services for James Otis Collins were held on March 30, 2024, where family and friends gathered to pay their final respects.
