Bernie Mathew Givens, a 40-year-old African American man, was shot dead outside his King Circle Drive home in Swainsboro, Georgia, in the early morning of October 1, 2016. Police responded about 3:15 a.m.; Givens was found in the doorway with a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead shortly after. The medical examiner testified a single bullet fired from more than four feet away caused three distinct wounds and killed him within minutes.

Investigators say Givens had been at a block party earlier that evening where he won a substantial sum playing cards, and that may have made him a target. Witnesses reported seeing John Lorenzo Dickerson acting suspiciously near Givens that night; one eyewitness identified Dickerson as the shooter and testified he was seen wiping off a gun and later fled to New Jersey. Dickerson was indicted in December 2016 on malice murder, felony murder and attempted armed robbery; at trial he was convicted of felony murder, aggravated assault, attempted armed robbery and firearms offenses and received life without parole.

Prosecutors later linked the killing to a Bloods-affiliated gang. A 44-count indictment in 2019 charged seven people, including alleged leader Tony Lenard Williams; Lonnell Willie Denson was convicted by a jury of felony murder, violating the gang act and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery and received life plus 20 years. Anyone who knew Bernie, his movements that night, or has information about those involved is asked to come forward.