UPDATE: Juvenile, 18-year-old arrested; others sought in fatal home invasion

Published 6:06 pm Friday, February 3, 2023

The death of an 18-year-old Baldwin High School senior in a home invasion and shooting early Thursday has left a community in shock and grappling with another senseless killing.

A 16-year-old juvenile suspect, meanwhile, has been arrested in connection with the crimes, according to Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Brad King, who heads the criminal investigations division. Local and state law enforcement authorities were still searching for a second juvenile suspect as of Friday morning.

The juvenile suspect arrested has been charged with felony murder, according to Mary Chandler, special agent in-charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 6 Office in Milledgeville. The juvenile is currently being held at an undisclosed state juvenile facility.

In addition, local and state authorities have arrested an older teen in connection with the crimes. The second arrest in the case was made Friday afternoon. Chandler identified the suspect as Malik Smith, 18, of Milledgeville. Smith also was charged with felony murder. After being arrested, the suspect was taken to the Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center and jailed.

The name of the 16-year-old in custody cannot be made public at this time because he is considered a juvenile under Georgia law.

“We were initially looking for four people that we believe to be involved in these crimes,” Chandler said. 

The other two suspects are believed by authorities to be in the Milledgeville area, Chandler said.

The victim in the home invasion, homicide case was identified as Syee Devon Havior, who lived in a double-wide mobile home off Black Springs Road, which runs off Lake Laurel Road on the east side of Baldwin County. Even though other people were believed to be inside the residence at the time of the home invasion and shooting, no one else was injured, King said.

Someone at the residence called 911 for help at 12:41 a.m. following the crimes.

Havior, who worked at the Sonic restaurant in Milledgeville when he wasn’t in school, was shot multiple times, King told The Union-Recorder.

Deputies and detectives arrived there shortly, along with firefighters/first responders with Baldwin County Fire Rescue and personnel with Grady Emergency Medical Services. Havior was treated at the scene for what King described as multiple gunshot wounds. The teen was later taken by ambulance to the emergency department of Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin hospital in Milledgeville where he died a short time later, King said.

Baldwin County Chief Deputy Coroner Ken Garland said an emergency department physician officially pronounced Havior dead at 1:42 a.m. Thursday. An autopsy will be performed soon at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory in Decatur to determine the cause and manner of the victim’s death, Garland said.

King said a 9 mm pistol was believed to be the type weapon used in the shooting.

Sheriff Bill Massee said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 6 Office in Milledgeville was requested for assistance to process crime scene evidence, and to photograph the scene. A number of GBI special field agents came out to assist sheriff’s office detectives in the joint investigation. Agents were seen canvassing the neighborhood and talking with residents who live on Black Springs Road about anything they may have seen or heard related to the ongoing investigation. 

“Preliminary information indicates that after midnight (Wednesday), multiple people traveled to Havior’s home,” according to a press release from the GBI. “At least one person entered and began shooting.”

King said the shooter entered through the front door of the residence. Authorities do not believe any property was taken during the home invasion, shooting.

The investigation has led to the impounding of a vehicle, Chandler said. Asked whether two vehicles came to the residence or just one, she said she had heard it both ways.

“I’ve heard mixed information about that,” Chandler said. “Once we talk with these other people, we may figure out there was more than one. And we may figure out there were more than four people involved. If there was two vehicles, maybe there was more than four people.”

Chandler was asked whether authorities had established a possible motive for the crimes.

“Apparently that home was burglarized a couple of weeks ago,” Chandler said. “Some weapons were stolen from the home. And since that time, the homeowner has attempted to get his guns back.”

Nobody was home at the time of the burglary.

“We believe the home invasion and fatal shooting is stemming from that crime,” Chandler said.

It didn’t take long for the tragic news to spread throughout the community and to the student body at Baldwin High School.

The high school posted the following comments on its Facebook page: 

“We are heartbroken over the loss of one of our senior Braves. Syee Havior was a bright soul and we are at a loss without his smile and light. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers. Class of 2023, we know that your struggling with this tragedy and throughout these next days, know that Braves Nation is with you. As you continue through your final semester, remember the gift of the time you had together and live for Syee.”

Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale III said he would review the GBI case file after the investigation has concluded before he commits to doing anything going forward.

“If there is evidence that multiple individuals were involved, we’re going to indict them,” Barksdale said. “This is a horrible shooting.”

Barksdale said once law enforcement officers have completed their part in the investigation he along with members of his staff will sit down with them and talk with Brad King and whoever else has been involved in the investigation of the case.

“I’ll then make a decision as to what the appropriate action is to take,” Barksdale said. “But anybody that commits a murder in this circuit, or helps to commit a murder, we’re going to indict them for it.”

The investigation remains active and ongoing, Chandler said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at 478-445-5102 or the GBI Region 6 Office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477). Online tips also can be submitted at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Tips also can be made to the Macon Regional CRIME-STOPPERS at 478-742-2330 or 1-877-68-CRIME.