UPDATE: Macon man sentenced to 25 years for 2021 shooting

39-year-old Michael Maxwell was sentenced to 25 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

UPDATE (11/21/23): 39-year-old Michael Maxwell was sentenced to 25 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

The sentencing comes more than two years after the shooting death of Antonio Mason, according to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

On the night of September 23, 2021, the DA’s Office says Maxwell called law enforcement to his hotel, claiming people were trying to kill him. He requested a ride to his sister’s home, where Mason also lived.

“Maxwell was sleeping on the sofa in the house when Mason returned from work,” the DA’s Office stated in a news release. “When Mason attempted to come inside, Maxwell pushed the door closed on him. Mason again tried to enter, and Maxwell, thinking he had been followed by a potential killer, fired one shot through the door which struck Mason in the chest.”

Maxwell was later taken into custody.

“My heart goes out to these families for their losses in this fatal set of circumstances,” District Attorney Anita Howard said. “It is my prayer that any individuals who from time to time might suffer from certain mental health issues will be able to seek and to receive proper medical attention when that assistance is needed and before a tragedy strikes,” said District Attorney Anita Howard in her statement.

Maxwell will serve the first 17 years of his sentence in prison.

UPDATE: (2/2/22) Around 5:20 p.m. Thursday, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release investigators have identified and charged a person in connection with a September 2021 fatal shooting on Woodliff Street.

Investigators contacted family members of 36 year-old Michael Jerome Maxwell about speaking with him about the homicide investigation. According to the release, Maxwell turned himself in to Bibb County authorities Thursday afternoon. Maxwell has been interviewed and is now being held at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Complex. He’s charged with murder and is being held without bond.

UPDATE: (1/2/22): The victim of the shooting was identified as 39-year-old Antonio Mason. Mason’s next of kin has been notified. The shooting is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 751-7500 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

ORIGINAL STORY (9/23/21):

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting that happened just before 12:30 this morning. According to a sheriff’s office news release, it happened in the 1800 block of Woodliff Street. The victim was transported to Atrium Health Navicent by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead.

His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.

The shooting is under investigation. Additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available.

Anyone with information in reference to this incident is urged to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 751-7500 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.