Macon, GA (WGXA) – A Bibb County jury has convicted Zontravion Keontae Hernandez and Vernon Grable for the 2021 murder of 16-year-old Ahmori Searcy.
On March 3, 2021, Hernandez and Grable attempted to rob Searcy of guns at the Majestic Garden apartments in Macon. During the robbery, Hernandez shot and killed the teenager. Security camera footage and multiple eyewitnesses later identified both men as the perpetrators.
Hernandez was arrested during a traffic stop on March 22, 2021, while Grable was taken into custody on April 12, 2021, as the second suspect. Hernandez had a prior criminal history, including being charged in connection with a 2018 homicide. He was released on bond in September 2020.
Ahmori Searcy’s mother, Felicia Marks, expressed her frustration that Hernandez had been allowed to bond out of jail before her son’s death.
Unfortunately, Searcy’s murder was not an isolated incident. Less than four months later, on June 16, 2021, another young man, 18-year-old Marquavious Wright, was also shot and killed at the Majestic Gardens.
The apartment complex had a long history of violent incidents. Between 2016 and 2021, Bibb County deputies were called to the complex 45 times for various criminal activities. The complex was also known for trading guns within the community.
Following the conviction, District Attorney Anita Howard emphasized the importance of standing against violence in the community. “This senseless act of violence took the life of a 16-year-old from our community,” Howard said. “While nothing can bring Ahmori back, we hope these convictions bring justice and closure to his family.”
In the sentencing, Hernandez was given life without the possibility of parole plus 20 years for malice murder and aggravated assault. Grable was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole plus 20 years for felony murder and aggravated assault.