In the late hours of a Savannah evening, the life of 19-year-old JQuan Darius 'Wink' Reed was tragically cut short. On February 10, 2024, the young man, known for his humble nature and memorable smile, was found at the corner of Barnard Street and Bay Lane suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. First responders rushed him to Memorial Health University Medical Center, but his injuries proved to be too severe.
The Savannah Police Department immediately launched an investigation
into the shooting. Their search for a suspect did not last long. In a surprising turn of events, 18-year-old Rodobaldo Portuondo surrendered to the Bradenton Beach Police Department in Florida. He was subsequently booked into the Manatee County jail, awaiting extradition back to Chatham County, Georgia.
Upon his return to Savannah, Portuondo faced a murder charge in connection with Reed's death. The community mourned the loss of the young man, with many leaving condolences and sharing memories of his kind spirit. His family chose to hold his funeral services privately as they grieved their profound loss.
