Fort Valley man to serve 20 years in prison over ‘senseless confrontation,’ attorney says
A 19 year old from Fort Valley pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing a man during a “senseless confrontation,” according to a news release from the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Jaqwan Johnson was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 25 years of probation, prosecutors said. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
His case stemmed from the shooting death of Anahury Melendez on Oct. 5, 2024, in Fort Valley, according to prosecutors.
On the day he died, Melendez was knocking on doors at a residence seeking to purchase marijuana. When the resident replied they didn’t have any, “Melendez became agitated and began throwing beer cans at the home,” the prosecutors said.
Johnson, who was 18 at the time, was inside the residence. He walked outside and confronted Melendez in a yard across the street, “where he struck Melendez in the head with a firearm,” according to prosecutors.
“Melendez, in response, produced a knife from his shorts,” prosecutors said in the news release. “Johnson then shot Melendez once in the chest before fleeing the scene.”
In addition to the gunshot wound, Melendez also suffered a deep laceration on the left side of his head. He was pronounced dead by Fort Valley Police Department officers.
“Anahury Melendez lost his life over a senseless confrontation that never had to happen,” said District Attorney Anita Howard. “Together, we will continue to pursue justice for every victim in the Macon Judicial Circuit.”
