Albany closes 2018 with 15 homicides

ALBANY — With the tragic story of Kavarious Brown being charged by Albany police with the Dec. 29 murder of Ashanti Major in a domestic dispute gone horribly wrong, the city wrapped up 2018 with 15 reported homicides for the year, according to information supplied by the Albany Police Department.

Brown, who was drawn into a domestic issue with his mother and her husband, Alan Moore, according to an APD report, apparently went to 3512 Royal Scott Road with Major to try and defuse the situation between Moore and their mother, Gloria Jackson. In the altercation that ensued, Moore reportedly pushed Brown, who drew a handgun and opened fire. Moore was injured and Major died from wounds she suffered.

With the arrest of Brown, APD stats show that of the 15 homicides that occurred in the city during 2018, only three remain unsolved. Among those is the attempted carjacking that turned deadly at the Devi’s convenience store on Palmyra Road. A lone would-be hijacker turned into a murderer when he fired into the vehicle in which store manager Dharmisthaben Patel was a passenger. Patel later died of her wounds.

A number of local business owners, both openly and anonymously, have contributed to a fund offering a significant reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Patel’s assailant. Surveillance video offers police a clear picture of what happened during the incident but not to the point that they’ve been able to identify the shooter.

The other unsolved homicides in Albany during 2018 include the Dervan Street homicide of Dominic Hunt and the Mercer Avenue killing of Gary Jefferies.

APD Chief Michael Persley decried the use of guns to settle arguments and disputes, much as was the case in the Brown homicide.

“The increase in gun usage has been the most disturbing factor about the (year-end) figures,” Persley said. “As we move into 2019, we will remain vigilant with encouraging citizens to use words instead of weapons.”

While it is of little solace to relatives and friends of the 15 homicide victims and to citizens who call Albany home, the number of killings is significantly lower than the 22 reported homicides in the city in 2017.

Citizens with information on any of the unsolved murders or any other crimes in the community are encouraged to call Albany Area Crime Stoppers at (229) 436-TIPS (8477) or go online to www.albanycrimestoppers.com, the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 431-3259 or the Albany Police Department at (229) 431-2100.

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