In the quiet community of south Macon, a tragedy unfolded that cut short the life of 15-year-old Ashton Nikolas Roberts. On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, the young man was discovered in a field in the 4100 block of Pinson Street, having sustained several gunshot wounds. The discovery, made just before noon near the intersection of Houston Avenue and Rocky Creek Road, sent ripples of concern through the neighborhood.
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene, and an investigation into the teen's death began immediately. Details of what led to the fatal shooting were initially scarce, leaving a community to grapple with the violent loss of a young life. A neighbor recounted hearing gunshots that sounded alarmingly close, a departure from the more distant sounds of trouble they had become accustomed to, noting the sound seemed to come from their own backyard.
Investigators quickly identified a suspect in connection with the shooting. Algie Frankar Bryant, a 57-year-old man, was arrested. The investigation led authorities to believe the shooting was connected to a marijuana grow house. An arrest warrant indicated that Bryant allegedly shot and killed the teenager from the backyard of this property.
Following his arrest, Bryant was taken to the Bibb County jail. He faced multiple charges, including murder, two counts of marijuana possession, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was held without bond. In the wake of this tragic event, Ashton Roberts' family and friends were left to mourn the sudden and violent end to a life full of promise.
