In the late afternoon of Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, the city of Warner Robins, Georgia, was rocked by a violent act that claimed the life of 48-year-old Anthony Presley. The male victim was discovered deceased inside his Honda Accord in the 100 block of Wendan Way, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds from a high-caliber firearm. Officers were dispatched to the scene around 12:45 p.m.
in response to reports of shots fired, but by the time they arrived, Presley had already succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting quickly revealed that it was not a random act of violence. Interim Police Chief Wayne Fisher stated that the evidence suggested a targeted and direct assault, indicating that the victim and his assailant likely knew each other. A crucial piece of evidence in the early stages of the investigation was the sighting of a green SUV in the vicinity shortly before the shooting. This vehicle became a key focus for law enforcement as they worked to identify a suspect. During the incident, Presley's car struck a telephone pole.
The investigation, a collaborative effort involving the Warner Robins Police Department, the United States Marshall's Southeast Regional Task Force, and the Rome Police Department, soon pointed to Andre Slocumb as the primary suspect. Authorities believed the motive for the killing may have stemmed from an ongoing feud between Slocumb and Presley concerning an alleged drug debt. Slocumb's green SUV was located in Rome, Georgia, and he was eventually apprehended states away in Terre Haute, Indiana, on June 21, 2023.
On May 8, 2024, a Houston County jury found Andre Slocumb guilty of malice murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. For his crimes, Slocumb was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. District Attorney William Kendall remarked on the swift justice, noting that a conviction was secured in less than a year from the date of the crime. The successful resolution of the case was attributed to the diligent work and cooperation of the various law enforcement agencies involved.
