Charges upgraded to murder in east Macon shooting

Charges have been upgraded to murder in the June 6 shooting of a man in east Macon.

William Ford, 55, was pronounced dead Sunday at the Medical Center, Navicent Health, where he had been hospitalized since the shooting.

Andre Lucas, 38, initially was charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery, but was charged with murder Monday, according to a Bibb County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Ford and a female friend were in a vehicle parked in the 1200 block of Highland Avenue about 10:40 p.m. June 6 when a man, later identified as Lucas, walked up and asked for a cigarette, authorities have said.

Lucas walked away after Ford and his friend said they didn’t smoke. He allegedly came back at some point later, exchanged words with Ford and shot Ford in the neck, according to the sheriff’s office.

Information from Telegraph archives was used in this report. To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.

This story was originally published June 22, 2015 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Charges upgraded to murder in east Macon shooting ."