LaWarrior Charles Gardner was 21 when he was shot and killed at his home on Carter Street in Americus, Georgia, on January 18, 2020. Reports say he was a correctional officer and barber who was protecting others inside the residence, including a sister, when he was fatally shot.

A suspect was identified as 23-year-old Demonte Everett Mayes, Jr., then living in Arlington, Texas. After the shooting Mayes reportedly fled and abducted his 2-month-old biological child, prompting an Amber Alert and a multi-state search. Mayes’s vehicle was located on U.S. Highway 80 between Montgomery and Selma, Alabama; the Alabama Highway Patrol intercepted the vehicle, took Mayes into custody without incident and recovered the child safely.

Mayes was charged with murder, multiple counts of aggravated assault, and kidnapping and waived extradition to be returned to Americus to face those charges. If anyone knew LaWarrior Gardner or has information about the shooting or events leading up to it, please share what you know.