RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – An arrest has been made in connection to the death of Devon Laroyce Shade, 32.
The incident happened on April 17th where Shade’s body was discovered in a wooded area off the 2100 block of McNutt Road.
Investigators say Shade was found to have been shot and had been deceased for several days before discovery.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, this was initially investigation as a suspicious death, but the case was later ruled a homicide following confirmation from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
After extensive investigative efforts and evidence gathered over the past several weeks, investigators say that they developed probable cause for the arrest of June James in connection to Slade’s death, and James was taken into custody without incident on Tuesday, June 10th by the RCSO and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and was later transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, where she is currently held on charges related to Shade’s death.
Authorities state that the current charge is Felony Murder.
“This arrest reflects the strength of teamwork and the importance of partnerships across agencies. From the initial response by Road Patrol to the diligent work of our Criminal Investigation Division and the support of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and GBI, this case was solved through dedication and unity. We are grateful to all who played a role in bringing justice to the Shade family,” Sheriff Eugene Brantley stated. “We are solving the vast majority of our violent crimes and murders in Richmond County—well above the national average of around 40%. Let me be clear: Richmond County is not the place to commit a violent crime. We don’t stop until justice is served, and we will continue working relentlessly to remove violent offenders from our streets.”
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, this is still an active investigation.
