Leceddrick Danielle Mitchell was a 41-year-old Black/African American man who loved spending time with his family and friends. A fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Alabama Crimson Tide, he was born in Douglas, Georgia, and educated in the Telfair and Jeff Davis County school systems. He was a father to three children and a grandfather.
In the early hours of New Year's Day, January 1, 2024, a celebration in Hazlehurst, Georgia, turned deadly. Mr. Mitchell was killed in a shooting at a New Year's Eve party held in Jeff Davis County. He was taken to Jeff Davis Hospital, where he passed away.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to lead the homicide inquiry, working with the Hazlehurst Police Department. Investigators asked the public for help, providing a tip line for anyone with information about the case.
On January 4, 2024, authorities arrested three people in connection with Mr. Mitchell's death.
The arrests were a collaborative effort involving the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI, the Georgia State Patrol, and Hazlehurst Police. The suspects were identified as 18-year-old Brad Smith, 25-year-old Keil Smith, and 24-year-old Kaniya Maxwell.
All three individuals were charged with murder. Brad Smith and Keil Smith faced an additional charge of aggravated assault, while Kaniya Maxwell was also charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. As of January 2024, the three suspects had been arrested and charged, and the case was proceeding through the legal system.
