Willie Render Jr., 56, was well known in LaGrange, Georgia as a gentle, ever-smiling man who mowed lawns and tried to keep the peace. On the night of May 29, 2020, Render was shot after a dispute over drugs and later died at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center from gunshot wounds to the chest and back.

Police say Charlestavious Dyer, who had recently moved to LaGrange from Atlanta and intended to sell drugs, left a gathering in a white car and returned minutes later armed with a .45-caliber handgun. Witnesses gave a description that led officers to the vehicle; an anonymous tip led to Dyer’s arrest about 90 minutes after the shooting. The gun was found wrapped in plastic near where he was taken into custody, Dyer’s fingerprints were on the magazine, and bullets from Render’s body matched the weapon.

Dyer, a convicted felon with an extensive arrest history, was charged with murder, possession of a weapon during certain crimes, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At trial a friend changed testimony to say Dyer acted in self-defense, but the jury rejected that account and convicted Dyer. Does anyone who knew Willie remember him or have information about that night?