Garrian DeMonte Owens was a 23-year-old Black man from Meridian, Mississippi, known to some friends as "Lee Lee 5 slime." Described as goofy and a "young and turnt money maker," he was the father of one child. His life was just beginning to unfold when it was tragically taken from him in the summer of 2022.
On the evening of Thursday, June 16, 2022, violence erupted in his hometown. Shortly after 10 p.m., police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 2300 block of Highway 39 North. They discovered that Garrian had been shot. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for emergency medical care, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead.
The Meridian Police Department launched a homicide investigation in the wake of the shooting. For nearly two years, the case progressed as detectives pursued leads and the community waited for justice.
Garrian's loved ones were left to grieve and wonder who was responsible for his death.
A significant breakthrough was announced in April 2024, when Meridian Police confirmed they had made an arrest in the case. Authorities charged 25-year-old Daquarrius L. Williams with the murder of Garrian Owens. At the time of his arrest, Williams was also facing charges for a separate incident that occurred in November 2023, including two counts of aggravated assault, shooting into a vehicle, and felony possession of a weapon. Following the murder charge, Williams was ordered held without bond. As of April 2024, the case was proceeding through the court system.
