It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that the Decatur community mourns the tragic passing of Dontay Garner, whose life was cut short in a fatal shooting on Thursday night, October 30, 2025, outside the 5th Avenue Food Mart.

According to the Decatur Police Department, officers responded to the scene just after 6:30 p.m. and found Dontay suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite the quick efforts of first responders, Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn pronounced him deceased at the scene.

Following an immediate investigation, police identified Xavier Rashawn Sutherlin as the suspect. Authorities say Sutherlin remained on the scene when officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident. He has since been charged with Murder and is being held in the Morgan County Jail without bond as the investigation continues.

The heartbreaking news of Dontay’s death has shaken the Decatur community to its core. Family members and friends describe him as a loving, gentle man with a radiant smile and a heart full of kindness. He was known for his warm personality, his loyalty, and his ability to make everyone around him feel valued and loved.

Candles and flowers now line the sidewalk outside the 5th Avenue Food Mart — a growing memorial to honor a life taken too soon. Through tears and embraces, loved ones gather to share memories of Dontay, remembering his laughter, his compassion, and the light he brought to others.

As the community grieves, one message echoes among those who knew him best: Dontay’s spirit will never be forgotten. His memory will live on through the love he gave, the people he touched, and the lives he changed.

May Dontay Jamar Garner rest in eternal peace.