Written by: E. George
Published May 27, 2024 @ 9:00 PM
BIBB COUNTY, Ga. – Two men arrested for an April 8, 2024, armed robbery of a Macon store face additional charges now that the victim has died. The 57-year-old victim suffered a gunshot wound to the forehead and was initially listed as critical but stable at Atrium Health Navicent; however, he later succumbed to his injury.
On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Gang Unit apprehended 46-year-old Travis Arnes Warren on Ell Street at approximately 3:00 PM and 31-year-old Andre Willis III on Eisenhower Parkway at around 10:00 PM. Authorities transported both suspects to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center, where they remain without bond.
Initially, Warren and Willis III were charged with aggravated assault and armed robbery; however, murder charges have been added.
On the day of the shooting, sheriff’s deputies responded to a distress call at 1090-A Eisenhower Parkway and met with two witnesses. They explained that they arrived at the store to play the slot machine and rang the buzzer to be allowed entry, but no one responded.
When they peered over the counter and saw the victim lying against the wall behind the counter, bleeding, they called 911 and ran to Texaco for help.
A deputy noted one bullet wound on the victim’s forehead, and Emergency Medical Services and Fire personnel began rendering aid. Upon inspection of the scene, the deputy noticed a shattered bathroom mirror.
The store’s security footage revealed two men committing the crime between 10:20 PM and 10:40 PM. One man held the automatically locking door open for the second man to enter the building.
The first man fled on foot, while the second man, donning a mask and one blue glove, shot the victim in the forehead area with a gun held by his gloved right hand. The shooter entered a side room and collected cash before running away down Pine Avenue.
Authorities identified Willis III as the suspected shooter.
This investigation remains open. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500. You can also contact Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME (27463).
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Monday, April 8, 2024, at approximately 2308 hours I, Deputy Raines responded to 1090 Eisenhower Pkwy. in reference to unknown trouble. Upon my arrival I met with [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] who stated that they came to the store to play the slot machine. They stated when they hit the buzzer to be let in nobody answered the door. That’s when they looked over the counter and seen the victim [VICTIM #1] laying against the wall behind the counter bleeding. The witness then went to Texaco to get some one help them pull the door open while one the phone with dispatch.
Once I got inside I observed the victim laying against the wall with one gun shot wound to the head. Fireman [REDACTED] unloaded the victim’s weapon bearing serial number P1526150 a black HI-Point 9MM. EMS and FIRE then rendered aid to the victim. I then cleared the rest of the building to make sure that no one else was still inside the building. I did observe that the bathroom mirror was shattered. I then had dispatch to have a Investigator to give me a call. Investigator Sgt. Bridger responded to the scene. I then had dispatch have the crime lab responded to the scene. Crime Scene Investigator Kirkland along with the key holder [REDACTED] responded to the scene.
Once we reviewed the cameras the incident took place between 2220 and 2240. There was two unknown males suspects at this time. One of the male suspects was wearing a orange T-shirt with VP on the back. He was holding the door opened for the second suspect to come inside the store. He then fled on foot from the store. The second suspect was wearing a white mask with a black hoodie, dark colored sweat pants, black shoes. He had on one blue glove on his right hand, which he held the gun in. The suspect shot the victim one time which appears to be in the forehead area. He then went inside one of the side rooms and took and unknown amount of money. The suspect then fled on foot, running on the side of the store down Pine Ave.
The key holder was given a case card with case number. Crime Lab Investigator Kirkland collected evidence. The victim was listed in stable but critical condition. The suspects are still unknown at this time. This report will be forwarded to Investigator Sgt. Bridger.
[End of Narrative]
