(August 30, 2024) District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Lanis Brown, 32, of Jesup, GA, was found guilty by a Wayne County jury of Voluntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony for the shooting death of Zakkary Johnson, 24, also of Jesup. After the conviction, Superior Court Judge Anthony L. Harrison sentenced Brown to serve fifteen years in prison, to be followed by 10 years on probation.

The evidence presented at trial showed that Brown had been on a three-day methamphetamine binge when on February 3, 2023, he traveled to a shed that is located on Community Circle in Jesup. While at the shed, Brown used more methamphetamine with a female and two other people. When Zakkary Johnson arrived later, Brown and Johnson began arguing and then engaged in a physical altercation with one another. After separating from the physical altercation, Johnson continued to argue with Brown.

Brown then pulled out a handgun and shot Johnson, fatally wounding him in the chest. After shooting Johnson, Brown fled the scene and was arrested four days later. When Brown was interviewed by law enforcement, he admitted to shooting Johnson but claimed he had acted in self-defense. The jury only took three hours to return their guilty verdicts.