Dezmon Lyles

Name:
Lyles, Dezmon D’Anthony

Date of Booking:
07/13/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault – Firearm

Possession Of Firearm Or Knife During Commission Of Or Attem

Tampering With Evidence Felony

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On 07/13/2025 at approx. 1237, we, Cpl. Renaue and Ptl. Slankard, responded in emergency mode (lights and sirens) to [1300 BLOCK] Gillespie Ave in reference to a shooting.

Upon arrival we observed a B/M later identified as [VICTIM #1] (victim) laying on his back in the road on Walnut St in front of the residence [1300 BLOCK] Gillespie Ave. There were two B/F attempting to render aid to [VICTIM #1] as we arrived on scene. Those two female’s identified themselves as [WITNESS #1] (involved other) and Keyanna Lyles (involved other/home owner). [WITNESS #1] stated [VICTIM #1] had one gunshot to his stomach. [VICTIM #1] was unable to speak at that time and was not able to give us any information about what took place. Both [WITNESS #1] and Keyanna said the suspect was not on scene. Both [WITNESS #1] and Keyanna stated they did not see who shot [VICTIM #1].

I, Ptl. Slankard went to put up crime scene tape to secure the scene. A bullet shell casing was found but it was a casing that had been in the ground for a while. We determined that casing was not from today’s incident.

I, Ptl. Slankard made contact with a W/M who identified himself as [WITNESS #2] (Witness). I asked [WITNESS #2] to explain to me the events that took place to which he said he was standing outside of his residence ([1300 BLOCK] Gillespie Ave) smoking. [WITNESS #2] stated he saw [VICTIM #1] walking West on Gillespie Ave towards his residence, he stated [VICTIM #1] appeared to be “drunk or high” because of the way he was walking. I asked [WITNESS #2] what [VICTIM #1] was doing to which [WITNESS #2] stated that [VICTIM #1] walked up to his mail box and started punching it. [WITNESS #2] said at that time his neighbor Keyanna was walking East on Gillespie Ave coming back to her house from the dollar store. [WITNESS #2] stated [VICTIM #1] Walked across the street to [1300 BLOCK] Gillespie Ave and began punching her mail box. [WITNESS #2] stated he heard Keyanna ask [VICTIM #1] “What do you want” to which he said [VICTIM #1] responded mumbling ineligibly and he heard Keyanna tell [VICTIM #1] to “Go on”.

I asked [WITNESS #2] what happened after Keyanna told him leave to which [WITNESS #2] stated when Keyanna walked into her yard and was going inside the back door of her residence that [VICTIM #1] was following her. [WITNESS #2] stated when Keyanna went inside that [VICTIM #1] began banging on her back door. I asked [WITNESS #2] what he was doing when this was taking place to which [WITNESS #2] stated he then went back inside his residence to keep his family safe, at that time [WITNESS #2] stated he heard a loud bang. [WITNESS #2] said when he walked back outside that he saw [VICTIM #1] laying in the road on his back “screaming for help”. I asked [WITNESS #2] if he saw anyone around to which he said no. I asked [WITNESS #2] if he saw any vehicle’s drive by at that time, he stated no.

I, Ptl. Slankard spoke to Keyanna. I asked Keyanna to explain to me the events that took place to which she stated she was walking home from dollar general when she saw [VICTIM #1] standing at her mail box. Keyanna stated that [VICTIM #1] was banging on her mail box. [KEYANNA] stated she asked [VICTIM #1] what he wanted, Keyanna stated [VICTIM #1] tried to say something but it came out every ineligible. Keyanna stated it sounded like [VICTIM #1] was just making noises instead of saying words. Keyanna stated she told [VICTIM #1] to “Get on” to which she then walked into the back door of her residence. Keyanna stated [VICTIM #1] then began banging on her back door. Keyanna stated while she was putting her groceries away she heard a loud bang. Keyanna stated when she walked outside and saw [VICTIM #1] laying on his back in the road. I asked Keyanna if she saw anyone else when said walked outside, she stated no. I asked Keyanna if she saw any vehicles driving off and she stated no.

Cpl. Renaue notice Keyanna had went inside and came out with a different color shirt on. Originally Keyanna was wearing a white in color T-Shirt but when she came back outside she was wearing an orange in color T-Shirt.

I, Ptl. Slankard and Sgt. Sherman walked to the back door of the residence ([1300 BLOCK] Gillespie Ave) to look for bullets that may have struck the residence. At that time I found a 9mm shell casing approx. 4ft from the staircase to the back door. At that time I and Ptl. McAllister detained Keyanna, Keyanna was placed into the back of Cpl. Renaue’s patrol vehicle 23-222. At this time I put up more crime scene tape blocking off the back porch area of the residence.

Upon putting Keyanna in the patrol vehicle, her son who identified himself as Desmond Lyles walked out of the residence. Desmond was attempting to give Keyanna her cell phone. We approached Desmond and asked him where he has been this whole time to which he stated he was inside the house. When asked why he didn’t come outside earlier we police first arrived he stated because of what was going on. Desmond was asked if he saw or heard anything to which he stated he heard [VICTIM #1] banging at the back door. Desmond stated that he did have a gun, he said he got it from an abandon house. When asked where the gun was at now, Desmond said it was gone. When he was asked what he did with the gun Desmond stated he had just gotten rid of it and that he threw it in a storm drain. At this time myself and Ptl. McAllister detained Desmond and place him in the back of Ptl. McAllister’s patrol car. I conducted a search incident to arrest to which I found a small plastic baggy that appeared to contain marijuana. I gave then baggy to Ptl. McAllister.

A B/F who identified herself as [WITNESS #3] (involved other) said she was Keyanna’s sister and was coming to get the Keyanna’s other Son, 9 year old [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (Witness) who was still inside the [1300 BLOCK] Gillespie Ave. [WITNESS #3] got [REDACTED BY AGENCY] from out of the house. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was visibly upset. [WITNESS #3] placed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] into her vehicle and waited on scene for investigator Cpl. Baisden to arrive on scene.

Cpl. Renaue transported Keyanna to the Albany Police Department for further investigation. Keyanna was placed in investigation room F. I, Ptl. Slankard stayed to hold scene security.

I, Ptl. Slankard went to Cpl. Renaue’s patrol vehicle to replace the battery on my body camera due to it having low battery. I stated on camera that I was turning off my body camera and that I was replacing the battery.

After Cpl. Baisden obtained a search warrant I, Ptl. Slankard helped conduct a search of [1300 BLOCK] Gillespie Ave for any weapons. Upon exiting the residence I found a 9mm bullet laying in the grass approx. 10 feet from the back door of the residence.

Sgt. Sherman advised me she found a key to the residence and locked the back door after exiting the residence.

A GCIC/NCIC check was conducted on all involved parties which came back negative for any wants/warrants.

A C.A.R.E S form was completed for this incident.

All photograph evidence was collected by Sgt. Billsby.

This case is active and forwarded to investigations.

[End of Narrative]