Austin Cordell Johnson was 25 when he was shot and killed in Dawson, Georgia, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. A 2016 graduate of Terrell Middle High School and a traveling electrical apprentice in the solar construction industry, he was remembered by family and friends for his bright smile, love of fashion, and a beautiful singing voice. Officers found Johnson at 559 Forrester Drive, SE; he had sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to lead the homicide inquiry and scheduled an autopsy through its Medical Examiner’s Office in Macon. The next day the GBI announced the arrest of 22-year-old De’travion Simmons of Dawson, charged with felony murder and aggravated assault and held at the Terrell County Jail. No motive or details about the relationship between Johnson and Simmons have been released.

If anyone knew Austin or has information about what happened that day, please come forward.