Cedric James Mayes Jr. was 17 when he was shot and killed inside the Walmart on North Lee Street in Forsyth, Georgia, on January 2, 2022. Investigators say an argument that began in the produce section moved through the store and escalated into gunfire in the frozen food aisle. A 911 call reporting shots came in about 6:12 p.m.; witnesses described frightened shoppers as deputies and Forsyth police found Cedric wounded and pronounced him dead at the scene. The GBI handled the death investigation and Cedric’s body was taken for autopsy.

Authorities identified 17-year-old Tarmaine Jontavion Bowden as the suspect and say Bowden pulled out a pistol and shot Cedric multiple times. Sheriff Brad Freeman described the violence as not appearing random, saying the two teenagers had ongoing problems. Bowden was taken into custody the same night and was the only publicly identified suspect.

The case moved into prosecution, with a Monroe County grand jury indicting Bowden in August 2022 on malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Does anyone who was at the store that evening or who knew Cedric or the individuals involved have information to share?