Shooting leaves 1 man dead at a Macon park, deputies investigate

A man was killed while fishing at a lake in west Macon Monday night, according to the Bibb County sheriff’s and coroner’s offices.

Deputies said a shooting occurred just after 11:30 p.m. at Freedom Park in the 3300 block of Roff Avenue, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The park has recreational activities including a dock, basketball courts, baseball field and jungle gym.

Officers responded to “a person down near the lake” and found a 39-year-old man, later identified as Jarvis Kentral Curtis, “suffering from a single gunshot wound,” the sheriff’s office said.

Deputy Coroner Richard Robinson pronounced Curtis dead at the scene and his family was notified, according to the Bibb County Coroner’s Office.

Deputies found a fishing pole near Curtis, according to Coroner Leon Jones.

“He was fishing,” Jones told The Telegraph.

Deputies were still investigating what led to the shooting Tuesday morning. Curtis’ body will undergo an autopsy, according to a news release.

Anyone with information related to the shooting was urged to call the sheriff’s office at 478-751-7500, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 9:10 AM.