In the small community of Riceboro, Georgia, a life was cut short on a Saturday afternoon, leaving a family and community to grapple with a sudden and violent loss. Quinton Jermaine Blocker, a 31-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on October 14, 2023. A resident of Liberty County and formerly of Darien, his death is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence.
The incident unfolded around 4 p.m. at the intersection of Briar Bay and Barrington Ferry roads. Liberty County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to a pavilion near the intersection following reports of gunfire. Upon their arrival, they discovered Blocker suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite any efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene, his life ending where he lay.
In the days that followed the shooting, the Liberty County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation that quickly led to a suspect. Four days after Blocker's death, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, authorities arrested 34-year-old Algernon Leron Stewart of Briar Bay. Stewart was taken into custody and booked into the Liberty County Jail, where he was charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement officials indicated that other charges could be pending as their investigation continued.
While an arrest was made, the community mourned the loss of Quinton Blocker. His funeral services were held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Banner of Truth Church in Darien, following a walk-through viewing the day before. The services provided an opportunity for family, friends, and community members to come together to remember a man whose life was tragically taken. Information regarding the progression of the legal case against Algernon Leron Stewart, including details of a trial or conviction, has not been made publicly available.
