Written by: E. George
Published March 29, 2024 @ 3:30 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding physical violence against children.
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. – At approximately 6:00 PM on June 29, 2023, police discovered the body of a 16-year-old autistic male at Lovejoy Park on McDonough Road. On March 25, 2024, multiple agencies arrested a third suspect in the shooting death of Jamarious Deante Smith.
Officials revealed that Smith sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head, neck, and arm. His mother told Channel 2 that her final conversation with her son regarded a group of his “friends” at their front door.
She said, “He had some guys on my porch that I did not approve of, and I asked him to ask the guys to leave from in front of my door.” Jamarious left with the group, and at 12:30 AM, she found officers knocking at her door.
She stated, “They asked me if I had a picture. I showed them a picture, and that’s when they told me they’re sorry; they found my son in Lovejoy Park, dead. He was shot five times.”
“I tried to get him to stay, but he just left, and that was the last time I saw my son,” she lamented. She explained that he was not involved with any gangs or guns, and the group he believed were his friends “lured” him out of the house.
Authorities apprehended two individuals after the murder. 18-year-old Kwame McGinty was arrested on June 30, 2023, and 17-year-old Alex Hampton was detained on October 30, 2023. They both face murder charges.
The third suspect, Oliver Choyce, was arrested by the Clayton County Fugitive Squad, the Clayton County Police Department, and the Lovejoy Police Department in March 2024 after turning himself in. His surrender followed an intense message directed to him from Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen.
On January 31, 2024, Sheriff Allen stated, “Turn yourself in. My team behind me, the Panther Unit, we’re gonna hunt you down. You ain’t safe nowhere. We’re coming after you, Oliver Choyce.”
Choyce, who was 15 years old at the time of the shooting, remains detained at the Martha Glaze Juvenile Facility. He faces charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony murder, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
This case is pending.