Grand jury declines to indict former Bibb County deputy in 2025 fatal shooting
Grand jurors declined to indict a former Bibb County deputy, who prosecutors contend wrongfully shot a man in October 2025, according to court records from Monday.
The grand jury returned a no bill on a case against Marquis Kwamaine Sandifer, a former deputy with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, accused of shooting Zachary Aaron Ward on Oct. 30, 2025. Prosecutors sought to indict him on malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and violation of his oath as a public officer.
Ward was trying to force himself into the Circle K on Chambers Road on the day of the deadly shooting, according to news releases from BSO and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at the time. Officials said Ward was acting erratically and harassing customers.
“When deputies arrived, they encountered Ward, who attempted to attack the deputy with a screwdriver,” the GBI said in the news release. “The deputy subsequently shot Ward.”
Sandifer no longer works with BSO, Sgt. Christopher Williams confirmed on Tuesday.
If he had been indicted, he would have been faced life in prison.
The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office has not responded to requests for comment as of Tuesday.
