Surveillance video captured fatal Macon shooting. Gas station clerk recalls the scene

Editor’s note: This story contains graphic content about gun violence and may be upsetting to some readers.

A gas station clerk says she was witness to the moment when an 18-year-old was fatally shot and a suspect fled from a Macon gas station Wednesday.

The suspect reportedly bought a few items at the convenience store and gas station at 1904 Shurling Drive, then shot De’Kerrio Jamontez Cobb to death as Cobb tried to enter the shop just before noon, according to Zeeta Paten, a store clerk who said she was feet away from the incident.

Paten said she’s worked at the convenience store on Shurling Drive for around 15 years, and “that’s the first time that’s happened,” referring to a shooting. She and a coworker recalled the sound of several shots fired.

The incident also was captured on surveillance video, which workers at the convenience store shared with The Telegraph. The victim is seen in the video approaching the shop and opening the door before shots are fired. A person is then seen fleeing the scene out the front door of the shop. Paten said it was the suspect.

After law enforcement removed crime scene tape and left the scene around 1:30 p.m., some of Cobb’s loved ones entered the shop to watch the surveillance footage. On a television inside the shop, Paten played the clip that captured moments before, during and after the fatal shooting.

Shots fired as victim opens shop door

Paten said the alleged shooter came in to buy a Slim Jim and candy, then walked toward the door to exit.

During those seconds, a white car occupied by Cobb and at least one other person pulled in and parked in front of the gas station shop, surveillance video shows. It was unclear who drove the car, but they had direct vision of the incident with the driver’s side window facing the convenience store entrance.

Cobb exited the passenger side door and walked to the front door of the gas station, according to the video.

“(Cobb) came and that was it,” Paten said.

Cobb pulled open the shop’s door, and it appeared he was immediately shot, according to the surveillance video.

Deputy Coroner Luann Stone pronounced Cobb dead around noon, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

The person who fled the store ran west while holding what appeared to be a gun, the surveillance video shows. This person also held something indistinguishable in their other hand, and wore a dark jacket, dark shirt and dark pants.

Paten and a coworker said they barricaded the shop door with a drink cooler after the alleged suspect fled.

Who is the person of interest?

The sheriff’s office released a surveillance photo showing the face of a person of interest inside the store who appeared to be looking toward the entrance door.

It was unclear if this person was the same person who appeared to shoot Cobb in the surveillance video. The sheriff’s office did not release the person’s name or any other details.

The person of interest wore a gray zipper jacket and a black top underneath, the photo shows.

Nobody had been arrested by Thursday morning.

Deputies urged anyone with details related to the shooting 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 December 18, 2025 at 11:40 AM.