Suspect in Albany homicide found in Mitchell County

ALBANY — Detectives with the Albany Police Department may be one step closer to solving a homicide that occurred early this year, according to APD officials.

Darius Keys, 19, of Camilla, was found on Aug. 23 around 4 p.m., slumped over with a gunshot wound to his head in the passenger seat of a black Honda Accord parked in front of Building 6 at the Cedar Avenue Apartments in Albany.

According to APD spokeswoman Phyllis Banks, Keys died at the hospital at 5:52 p.m. that same day.

Multiple agencies responded to the crime scene, and at least two suspects were spotted leaving the scene.

Brandon Hallman, 19, was charged with tampering with evidence and party to a crime in the shooting death of Keys, according to Banks.

Hallman was picked up in Camilla by the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office and brought back to Albany on Aug. 24.

The investigation has continued, and Tuesday authorities had a breakthrough.

“Today, detectives may be one step closer to solving this homicide after Mitchell County law enforcement authorities picked up 19-year-old DeAntre Butler, a suspect in the case, at his home around noon,” said Banks. “APD detectives are heading to Mitchell County to bring Butler back to Albany for further questioning.”