Six suspects in Mixon shooting death denied bond

ALBANY — Loco’s Pub and Grill owner Shawn Walters appeared to still be in a state of shock Monday, two days after long-time employee Alex Mixon, 27, was lured to a vacant house at West Broad Avenue on the pretense of making a food delivery. There, Mixon was attacked, shot and killed.

Monday Afternoon, Walters issued the following statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we share of a life lost too soon not only of an incredible employee, Alex Mixon, but most of all, the loss of a family member. Alex has been employed with our restaurant since 2011. He was a hard worker, someone that loved his customers, a valuable employee, and a person that we cared about very much. We are saddened that his life was lost due to a senseless crime. We commend our Albany Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide, and Gang Task Force units with being persistent in getting these suspects off the streets so quickly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex’s wife, his mother and father, and extended family and friends.”

According to a release issued by the Albany Police Department, while sitting in his vehicle at the front of an empty house on West Broad, Mixon was jumped by two teenagers and was shot in the neck. He died later at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

Members of the Albany Police Department and members of the department’s Gang Unit were on the scene quickly and made six arrests. The six suspects are being held without bail in the Dougherty County Jail. The suspects arrested included:

• Jaquanious Oliver, 19, charged with tampering with evidence;

• Jaquarious Oliver 15, charged with felony murder and aggravated assault;

• Jaquan Oliver 17, charged with felony murder;

• Jaylen Miller 18, charged with felony murder;

• Iren Carter 18, charged with felony murder;

• Mickee Carter, 19, charged with felony murder.

The Olivers and Miller were denied bail at a hearing on Sunday, while the Carter brothers’ request was denied on Monday.

On Sunday evening a Loco’s employee, who asked that their name not be released, said Mixon himself had answered the phone call from a person placing the delivery order.

Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards indicated that the shooting death could be gang-related.

“We are still investigating the case, and our office is working closely with (APD Chief Michael Persley),” Edwards said Monday. “I don’t have all the details yet from the investigation. We don’t know what (the suspects’) intent was. Was it to rob him (Mixon) or was it part of a gang initiation or both? We do know there was counterfeit money involved. I really can’t say much about the facts of the case, but it was an elaborate scheme.

“If it was a gang initiation, then we are going to prosecute those individuals as a gang case as adults in Superior Court.”

Persley had not returned a call seeking comment by The Herald’s press time Monday.

A graveside funeral service will be held for Mixon Saturday at 2 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Kimbrell-Stern. The family has asked for everyone to wear white at the funeral service.