A 15-year-old student at Kendrick High School, Earkavion Lee was shot after stepping off his school bus in the 2300 block of Watkins Drive in Columbus, Georgia. He was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional hospital and pronounced dead at 5:15 p.m. The Muscogee County School District called the killing senseless gun violence and offered condolences to his family, friends, and the school community. His older brother, 18-year-old Earkus Porter, had also been shot and killed in Columbus months earlier.

Police arrested a first suspect the same day: 20-year-old Roannil Laron Clanton, who was charged with murder and six counts of aggravated assault and pleaded not guilty at his initial court appearance. Within days additional arrests followed; on September 24, 2024, authorities detained 19-year-old Demetrius Miles and 17-year-olds Gregory Nelson and Marquis Roberts on murder and firearm-possession charges, later expanded to include six counts of aggravated assault and two counts of second-degree criminal damage to property. All four suspects are held in the Muscogee County Jail as the investigation continues.

Does anyone in the Columbus area have information about Earkavion’s movements that afternoon or saw activity near Watkins Drive?