Wednesday-night violence in Albany brings 2024 homicide total to 12

ALBANY – The Albany Police Department has not confirmed that two fatal shootings in the city on Wednesday night were part of the aftermath of a July 5 gang-related mass shooting, but it is one of the focuses of the investigation.

Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler said both deaths appeared to be the result of drive-by shootings.

“We’re looking at all possibilities,” Police Chief Michael Persley said of a potential link to the eruption of gunfire on July 5 outside a nightclub that left one man dead and three additional victims injured.

The fatal shootings Wednesday of Tavis Demond Griffin and Demarcus Lewis were the 11th and 12th homicides of 2024 in Dougherty County and brings the total for July to three.

Dougherty County Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the 1500 block of Gillespie Avenue at 10:41 p.m. Wednesday, according to agency reports, and transported Griffin, 29, to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Griffin suffered multiple gunshot wounds, Fowler said.

EMS personnel responded to 1203 Swift Avenue at 2:48 a.m., where Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. Lewis was struck by at least one bullet, the coroner said. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will perform autopsies later this week, he added.

“They are saying both of them are drive-by shootings,” Fowler said. “Both of them were at residences, out in the yard at the time.”

Investigators have not determined how many shooters may have been involved at each shooting scene, Persley said. “Multiple” shell casings, including both rifle and handgun rounds, were found during the investigation.

Police were called at about 2 a.m. on July 5 to the 312 Thornton Drive Reflextions Lounge, where Daveyon Tyron Wakefield, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three bystanders also were struck during the exchange of gunfire by multiple shooters that totaled about 80 rounds.

Police said that the shootings occurred following a fight that broke out involving women inside the establishment.

Police have arrested one man on a charge of murder in connection with the July 5 shooting and have also made arrests on charges of aggravated assault, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and affray in connection with the incident.

Of the 12 homicides investigated during 2024, 10 have been the result of gunshots, one was a stabbing and one victim was strangled to death, Fowler said.

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]