Laron Ashley was a 19-year-old Black male from Savannah, Georgia, whose life was remembered by friends and family as full of energy and humor. They recalled him as a goofy young man, the life of the party, and a protector to those he loved. He was known by several affectionate nicknames, including "La" and "Poohba."
In the pre-dawn hours of May 8, 2024, Ashley was fatally shot. The incident unfolded on the 2100 block of Alabama Avenue, where a ShotSpotter alert for gunfire prompted a response from the Savannah Police Department at approximately 3:40 a.m. Arriving officers found Ashley on the scene, unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency medical personnel treated Ashley before transporting him to Memorial Health University Medical Center. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead in the emergency room at 4:17 a.m.
His death was the 10th homicide recorded in Savannah that year, and an autopsy was scheduled.
Savannah Police detectives launched an immediate investigation into the shooting, gathering evidence and speaking with witnesses. A week later, authorities made a public appeal for information by releasing surveillance footage of four individuals they described as persons of interest. They asked anyone who could identify the men to contact CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020.
The investigation progressed and led to a significant development in the search for justice. A grand jury returned an indictment against Bernard Malee Norfolk for the murder of Laron Ashley. As of the last public police updates in May 2024, the case against Norfolk has entered the court system and is in litigation.
