Three Lives Lost in Midnight Shooting at Macon Bar, Leaving Community in Mourning
In the early hours of Sunday, May 18, 2025, a vibrant night at Macon’s Midtown Daiquiri Bar and Grill turned tragic, leaving three young men dead and six others wounded in a hail of gunfire. The shooting, which unfolded just after midnight at 4376 Log Cabin Drive, has shaken the central Georgia community, marking the deadliest week of violence in Macon this year. For families now grieving, the incident is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the persistent challenge of gun violence in the city.
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office responded to a flood of 911 calls reporting gunfire at the popular bar around 12:00 a.m. Deputies arrived to a chaotic scene, finding nine individuals struck by bullets. Emergency medical personnel rushed to provide care, transporting several victims to Atrium Health Navicent for treatment. Three others, clinging to life, were driven to the hospital in personal vehicles. Despite these efforts, three men—Javonta Faulks, 32, Jedarrius Meadows Jr., 28, and Javarsia Meadows, 24—succumbed to their injuries. The Bibb County Coroner’s Office pronounced them dead at 1:10 a.m., each bearing multiple gunshot wounds. The surviving victims, whose conditions remain undisclosed, continue to receive medical attention as their families await updates.
Investigators from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office are working diligently to piece together the events that led to the violence. Preliminary findings suggest the shooting occurred in or around the bar’s parking lot, with approximately 60 shell casings recovered at the scene, indicating the intensity of the gunfire. No suspects have been named, and no arrests have been made, leaving authorities with more questions than answers. The sheriff’s office has enlisted support from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Centerville and Perry Police Departments, and the Georgia State Patrol to aid in the investigation. The circumstances—whether a targeted altercation or a random act—remain unclear, but deputies are combing through witness statements and physical evidence to establish a motive.
For Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones, the tragedy carries a heavy weight. Jones, a longtime advocate for gun violence prevention, described the week as the deadliest in Macon in 2025, with five homicides across three separate incidents. Before this week, the city had recorded just four fatal shootings all year, a stark contrast to the sudden spike in violence. “It’s frustrating and depressing to see the killing,” Jones said, his voice carrying the exhaustion of years spent responding to such scenes. His office, accredited for its rigorous investigative standards, is working alongside law enforcement to ensure a thorough examination of the case.
The Midtown Daiquiri Bar and Grill, a local staple known for its lively atmosphere, has been the site of violence before. In June 2020, a 25-year-old 911 dispatcher, Devontae Tennyson, was killed in the bar’s parking lot during an argument with a private security guard, who was later charged with murder. That incident, like this one, left the community grappling with questions about safety and accountability. The bar’s management has not issued a public statement, but the recurrence of violence at the location has sparked renewed conversations about security measures and community safety.
Macon, a city of about 150,000, has faced its share of challenges with violent crime, though recent years had shown signs of progress. The sudden surge in homicides, including a separate shooting at a graduation party just 24 hours earlier that left 25-year-old Jaurice Markel Haywood dead, has heightened local concerns. Community leaders and residents are calling for action, from increased policing to broader efforts addressing the root causes of violence, such as poverty and lack of opportunity.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even small details could prove critical. Tips can be shared directly with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 or anonymously through Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME. As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office has promised to release further details when possible, though for now, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and pursuing justice.
For Macon, the road ahead is one of mourning and resolve. The loss of Javonta Faulks, Jedarrius Meadows Jr., and Javarsia Meadows has left an indelible mark, their names now part of a somber tally. As the community gathers to honor their memories, the hope is that answers will emerge, bringing clarity to a night that began with celebration and ended in sorrow.
