A Sunday afternoon shooting in Savannah left two 27-year-old men dead, bullets hitting nearby homes and vehicles, and residents demanding answers about the violence affecting their neighborhood. The victims, identified as Deshon Lawrence and Tyreek Lester, were shot near Cedar Street and East 33rd Street on November 8.
Alderman Detric Leggett, who represents District 2, said he was at the scene during the aftermath of the shooting and attempted CPR on the victims. He described the gunfire as happening at close range and said bullets struck not only the two men but also several nearby cars and houses. A female police officer was reportedly the first to arrive at the scene with him.
Police received reports of gunfire around 2:15 p.m. and sent officers to the intersection. They found two adult men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Lester was pronounced dead at the scene, while Lawrence was transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center. He later died from his injuries.
Chatham County Coroner David Campbell confirmed the identities of the victims. Both men were 27 years old. Their deaths turned what began as an investigation into a shooting involving two victims into a double homicide that has drawn renewed attention to violence on Savannah’s east side.
Investigators have described the attack as targeted, but the reason behind it remains unclear. Lester was awaiting trial in connection with the 2023 killing of Wanya Pringle and was wearing an ankle monitor. Separately, jail records identified Lawrence as a registered Blood gang member. Police have not confirmed whether these details played any role in the shooting.
The deaths have also hit close to home for people living in the neighborhood. Patricia Johnson, president of the Live Oak neighborhood association, said she knew both men and described them as being like family to the community. She spoke about how much the neighborhood had changed over the years, saying some residents now feel afraid to sit outside on their own porches.
Sunday’s deadly attack followed six other shootings investigated by Savannah police in the nearby area this year. None of those earlier incidents had resulted in a reported fatality. Residents have since expressed frustration over the repeated gun violence, with some calling for additional security cameras and more police officers in the area.
Leggett said it was too early to determine whether the victims’ backgrounds or existing affiliations had anything to do with the attack. He also pointed to active neighborhood and gang affiliations in the community, an issue local authorities have been working to address.
Savannah police have not announced any arrests in connection with the double homicide. The investigation remains open, and detectives are working to determine exactly what happened near Cedar Street and East 33rd Street. Anyone with information can contact CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or submit an anonymous tip through the police department’s mobile app.
For the families and neighbors who knew Lester and Lawrence, the investigation is only part of what comes next. Two men who were still 27 years old are gone, and the people left behind are waiting for answers about how a Sunday afternoon ended in two deaths.