Manhunt in Macon Ends with Deputies Fatally Shooting Suspect

MACON, GA – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly series of events that began Tuesday afternoon with a homicide at Family Dollar on Jeffersonville Road and ended hours later with a fatal deputy-involved shooting.

Just before 5:00 p.m., deputies responded to the Family Dollar parking lot on Jeffersonville Road where they discovered 56-year-old Regina Darlene Smith and a 79-year-old man inside a Nissan Rogue, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by Chief Deputy Coroner Lonnie Miley. The male victim was rushed to a hospital and is reported to be in critical but stable condition.

Investigators identified the suspect as Catrell Tywan Ford, who fled the scene. A multi-agency search was launched, with assistance from the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

At 9:44 p.m., deputies and task force members spotted Ford at a convenience store at Spring Street and Riverside Drive. When given verbal commands, Ford fled into a wooded area, leading deputies on a 300-yard foot pursuit. Inside the woods, deputies encountered Ford, and an exchange of gunfire occurred. Ford was struck and mortally wounded.

Deputies and members of the Macon-Bibb Fire Department rendered aid before paramedics transported Ford to a medical facility, where he later died. No officers were injured during the confrontation.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting, while the Bibb County Sheriff’s Internal Affairs Office will conduct a parallel internal review.

The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information about the case to call 478-751-7500 or contact Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.