First responders were already fighting to save Dontay Jamar Garner’s life when police arrived at the 5th Avenue Food Mart just after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening. The 23-year-old had been struck by gunfire, and paramedics worked frantically as bystanders watched in disbelief.
Despite their efforts, the injuries were too severe. Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn confirmed that Garner was pronounced dead at the scene on October 30, marking yet another tragic act of violence in Decatur.What makes this case particularly unusual, investigators say, is the behavior of the suspect.
The man accused of pulling the trigger, 21-year-old Xavier Rashawn Sutherlin, didn’t run. He reportedly remained at the scene, calm and compliant, waiting as police sirens grew louder. When Decatur officers arrived, Sutherlin surrendered without resistance and was immediately taken into custody. Authorities described the encounter as “peaceful but deeply unsettling,” given the deadly circumstances.
Detectives spent hours processing the scene, collecting shell casings, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing security footage from nearby businesses. While the motive remains unclear, police have said there’s no indication the shooting was random. Both men were believed to be acquainted, though the nature of their relationship has not been publicly disclosed.
Sutherlin now faces a murder charge and is being held in the Morgan County Jail as investigators continue piecing together what led to the confrontation. Community members have already begun leaving candles and flowers near the Food Mart in memory of Garner, who friends describe as “kind-hearted” and “always smiling.”
As Decatur reels from the loss, police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward. The case remains under active investigation, with authorities hoping clarity will soon emerge about what turned an ordinary evening into a moment of irreversible tragedy.
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