The Tifton Police Department has charged three people in connection with the murder of 62-year-old Sylvester Downs on March 23, according to a press release from Lt. Lee Dunston.

Consurilla McCray Mayo, 34, of Tifton; Deonta Rashad Rich, 20, of Tifton; and Justin Rashad Dixon, 23, of Omega have all been charged with armed robbery and felony murder in regards to this incident.

Dunston said Mayo was arrested April 5 by detectives with the police department; Dixon was arrested April 9 by detectives; and Rich was arrested April 10 by officers of the TPD.

“These arrests came after Detectives Chris Bell and Jared York sorted through numerous tips, evidence and other investigative leads that came in during the investigation,” Dunston said. “As with any such case, arrests do not mean that the investigation is over.”

He urged for people to contact the TPD at 382-3132 if they have information about this crime.

The Tifton Gazette had reported in a previous article about the incident that the shooting and robbery had occurred at 704 E. Sixth St. in Tifton. Downs, who lived at the residence, was shot and killed during the robbery. The TPD had received a call at 10:42 p.m. that Sunday on March 23.

The incident report states that Officer William Germaine responded to the call, where witnesses reported hearing several shots fired in the area of East Sixth Street and Church Lane. A 19-year-old who was at the residence that evening reported a group of people were playing cards at the home when two black males entered the residence and robbed them, shooting Downs, who was unresponsive when Germaine arrived at the scene.

Witnesses reported that one of the suspects was carrying a black and silver handgun. The first entered through the front of the home, while the second, carrying a bag, entered at the rear of the home. The suspects were yelling, “Give me the money!”

The report states that Downs fought with the subject with the gun in the hallway of the home prior to a shot being fired. After Downs was shot, the men fled the scene.

To contact reporter Latasha Ford, call 382-4321.