Dennie Lee Henderson III, known as Lil’ Dirty, was 16 and an 11th grader at Kendrick High School when he was found shot to death in the Springhill Suites parking lot on Whittlesey Boulevard in Columbus, Georgia. Police responded to reports of gunfire around 4 a.m. on March 24, 2024, and pronounced Henderson dead at the scene; he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He enjoyed video games, basketball, sneakers and clothes, and his family described his smile as lighting up a cloudy day.

Columbus Police say three suspects were identified as acting together in the killing. Arrests followed: Ty’Quavious Richmond on May 16, 2024, and Patrick Montgomery Jr. and Dereon Montgomery on September 17, 2024, in Lee County, Alabama; they were brought back to Columbus to face charges. The Violent Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Digital Forensics Unit and the Real Time Crime Center, led the investigation.

Anyone who knew Dennie or saw activity around the Springhill Suites the night of March 24, 2024, is asked to share what they know with investigators.