Third Suspect Charged in Cordele Shooting Case

On May 5, 2024, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced the charging of a third suspect in connection to the January 5, 2024, shooting death of Davieon Lavant in Cordele, GA. Kevin Bernard West Jr., 21, from Cordele, was charged with one count each of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony.

West was booked into the Crisp County Jail following the charges. The case remains under investigation.

The original incident occurred when officers responded to a shooting call at Hilltop Apartments in Cordele shortly before 1:00 a.m. on January 5, 2024. Upon arrival, they found Lavant with gunshot wounds. Lavant was transported to a local hospital by Crisp County EMS but succumbed to his injuries despite efforts to save him.

The GBI became involved in the investigation and subsequently arrested and charged Jayveon Royal, 21, on January 18, 2024, and Kavien Butler, 19, on February 16, 2024, in connection to Lavant’s death.

The Cordele Police Department, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Community Supervision, and the Mid-South Narcotics Task Force assisted in the investigations.

District Attorney Brad Rigby of the Cordele Judicial Circuit is handling the prosecution of this case.