In the early hours of New Year's Day 2024, a celebration in Hazlehurst, Georgia, turned tragic, ending the life of 41-year-old Leceddrick Mitchel, a Black/African American male. The violence erupted at a party on Danny Street, shattering the festive atmosphere and leaving a community in mourning. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the precise cause of his death.
The series of events leading to the fatal encounter began with a dispute between Mitchel and another individual at the party. An argument between Mitchel and 24-year-old Kaniya Maxwell Fletcher reportedly escalated. Following this initial confrontation, Fletcher is said to have coordinated with 25-year-old Kiel Smith and 18-year-old Brad Smith, both of Lumber City, to come to the party. Their arrival marked a deadly turn in the night's events.
Upon reaching the gathering, Kiel and Brad Smith allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding Mitchel. Another man, 22-year-old Tyler Deeds, was also struck by gunfire in the hip. He was airlifted to a hospital in Savannah where he was listed in stable condition. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to lead the inquiry into the deadly shooting, working in conjunction with the Hazlehurst Police Department.
Within days of the incident, authorities made arrests in connection with the homicide. On January 4, 2024, Kiel Smith and Brad Smith were taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault and felony murder. Kaniya Maxwell Fletcher was also arrested and faced charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and felony murder. All three suspects were booked into the Jeff Davis County Jail. The case is expected to be handed over to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for prosecution.
