Maurcalen Downs Obituary, – NEWSNETWORK99 has officially confirmed the identities of the individuals involved in the tragic incident that occurred in Ocilla on Monday. The victim, Maurcalen Downs, a 14-year-old, was unfortunately shot and succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at the hospital.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Earl Wilcox III is responsible for shooting Downs. The mayor of Ocilla has informed WALB that the two teenagers were actually friends. The alarming rise in teen violence has raised concerns not only within the small city but also beyond its borders. In response, two Ocilla natives have taken the initiative to organize a community meeting on Thursday evening. The purpose of this gathering is to collectively brainstorm ideas on how to effectively combat gun violence.
Recognizing the magnitude of this issue, James Curtis, a native of Ocilla, emphasizes the importance of community involvement in addressing this problem. He urges the entire community to come together and hold individuals accountable, with the ultimate goal of restoring safety to their community. The community meeting is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. at 116 East 4th Street in Ocilla. It serves as an opportunity for residents to actively contribute to finding solutions. Currently, Wilcox is being held at a youth detention center and has been charged with murder.