A quiet Thursday evening in Decatur turned tragic when a man was fatally shot outside a local convenience store, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
According to the Decatur Police Department, the shooting occurred around 6:30 p.m. on October 30, 2025, at the 5th Avenue Food Mart. Officers arrived to find Dontay Jamar Garner suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite emergency life-saving measures, Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn confirmed Garner was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Following an immediate investigation, detectives identified Xavier Rashawn Sutherlin as the individual responsible for the shooting. Authorities say Sutherlin remained at the scene and was taken into custody without resistance. He has since been charged with murder and is being held at the Morgan County Jail with no bond.
Investigators from the department’s Violent Crimes Unit are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses to determine the motive behind the fatal encounter. Officials have not yet revealed whether Garner and Sutherlin had any prior relationship.
The loss has sent waves of grief through the Decatur community, with friends describing Garner as a loyal, warm-hearted man known for his infectious smile and generosity. Community members have expressed both sorrow and frustration over the ongoing toll of gun violence in the region.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the Decatur Police Department or Morgan County Crime Stoppers.
As the investigation continues, residents are left mourning another life cut short — a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of senseless violence.