Bibb County Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Fatal Stabbing of Teen During Dispute

MACON, Ga. — A Bibb County woman has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in the 2023 stabbing death of a 16-year-old boy during a confrontation between teenagers, prosecutors announced.

On June 10, 2026, Zanaria Rashada entered a guilty plea to Voluntary Manslaughter in the Superior Court of Bibb County for the death of Gregory Smith.

Judge imposed a 20-year sentence, with Rashada ordered to serve 15 years in prison.

According to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred on March 23, 2023, when a group of teenagers gathered behind an apartment complex in Bibb County to settle an ongoing personal dispute.

Investigators determined that what was expected to be a fistfight escalated into a deadly encounter.

Authorities said Rashada arrived carrying a knife she regularly possessed. As tensions rose, some members of the group declined to participate in the confrontation and left the area, leaving Rashada and Smith engaged in a heated verbal exchange.

During the argument, Smith swung at Rashada. Prosecutors said Rashada responded by swinging the knife, striking Smith once in the chest.

Smith died from the injury.

Following a review of the evidence and circumstances surrounding the case, prosecutors determined that a voluntary manslaughter charge was the most appropriate offense based on Georgia law and the facts established during the investigation.

Rashada remained in custody from the day of the incident through the resolution of the case.

During the sentencing hearing, Smith’s grandmother delivered an emotional victim impact statement, describing the killing as “stupid and senseless.” She spoke about the lasting pain of losing her grandson and told the court she regularly visits his grave.

“A grandmother visits her grandson’s grave,” District Attorney Anita Howard said in a statement. “That is the real consequence of this kind of senseless violence. Our office took every factor into account in pursuing justice in this case. I believe a just criminal justice system can hold young people accountable for the harm they cause without throwing them away, and that is exactly what we did here.”

The case is now concluded.