FITZGERALD, GA — Seven people were charged Monday in the shooting death of a lottery winner more than two months ago.
The arrests were all made after a lengthy investigation into Craigory Burch Jr.'s death.
The former forklift driver hit the $434,272 instant prize from the Georgia Lottery when he matched all five numbers from the Nov. 29, 2015 Fantasy 5 drawing.
Six of the seven are in custody in the Ben Hill County Jail. One remaining suspect is in custody in Colquitt County.
Two of the suspects are women, Rosalyn Swain, 22, of Fitzgerald, and Keyona Dyous, 24, of Moultrie.
The others are Earnest Holcomb, 27, of Fitzgerald, 17-year-old Wayan Jordan, of Fitzgerald who will be charged as an adult, Dabrentis Overstreet, 19, of Tifton, Nathaniel Baker, 28, of Moultrie, and Anjavell Johnson, 21, of Tifton.
All are charged with malice murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of firearm during the commission of the crime.
Authorities believe three masked people stormed in the home on Stubbs Avenue in the late hours of Jan. 20, intent on Burch's recent lottery winnings.
(See Georgia Lottery winner killed during home invasion, Lottery Post, Jan. 21, 2016.)
Burch was shot several times and died at the scene.
The District Attorney's office has not released how the some of the suspects fit in this crime, and who acted in what capacity. The investigation is ongoing.
The arrests come after weeks of investigating since the crime, and receiving national media attention.
Investigators said Burch's girlfriend, Jasmine Hendricks, was in the home at the time and ran for help. A shotgun blast blew open the door and three masked, armed men ran in, she said.
"When they came in, he said, 'Don't do it, bro. Don't do it in front of my kids,'" Hendricks recalled. "'Please don't do it in front of my kids and old lady. Please don't do that, bro. Please don't.' He said, 'I'll give you my bank card.'"
Hendricks said Burch then threw his pants to the robbers, who looked for but couldn't find his wallet.
The intruders then shot and killed Burch before running away.
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Thanks to hearsetrax and konane for the tip.
Sad hope they get the death penalty that's why winners shouldn't be announced by there real names oh and leave then alone let them enjoy there money crazy world we live in money evil but have to have it to live other wise just paper with a number people kill over I think people with money are always hunted by the whales of this world classified killer whales and the ones with the money are the dolphins sad sad
This is such a sad story to me. Im thankful they caught the killers and I hope justice is served. Most are so young. I didnt know the victim but I know his family. His father and family are long time friends of mine and I hope these arrests help them some. At least now someone is being held accountable.
Stupid stupid criminals. He won less than half a million. What is that, 300K after taxes? And they thought it would be worth murdering a guy to split whatever he hadn't spent among SIX of them? WTH!
Wonder if this was more out of jealousy and spite than for the money?
His children have an angel looking down on them. It's just despicable that they shot him after he offered to give them his bank card. I have absolutely no empathy for these savages and hope they face the full brunt of the law. My deepest sympathy to his family and may he rest in peace.
I bet their parents are saying they were all good kids.
Did they think they wouldn't get caught?
If the shotgun blast through the door didnt traumatize the children, seeing the man murdered right before their eyes after he begged them, will be forever etched in their minds, so tragic. Inhumane animals are lower than whale s#%^.
alive today,cause its illegal to hunt them for sport
Slum. Look at their photo's. Who says you can't judge a book by its cover? I hope they
shed some real tears every night even if its for themselves. These people need to hurt.
Their arrogance that is clearly displayed in the photos needs to be stripped from them,
if the court can't do it, I hope someone is waiting for them who can. Rot in hell.
The victim looked as if he might've had a past but he had kids who will harden just like
these murderers if someone is not very careful, patient, loving and protective of them.
Prayers for the children, that's it.
Good job,now life in prison for the robbers.
The Georgia legislature has refused to approve a bill (SB179) sponsored by McKoon of the 21st and Henson of the 41st districts respectively. Several states allow lottery winners to receive their lottery winnings in anonymity. Not publishing the name of the winners would not adversely affect the sale of lottery tickets. This is the specious argument put forth by the Georgia lottery. I would not want to open my family to the unwanted attention that comes with winning a large amount of money. Some people want others to know that they now have access to thousands or millions of dollars and others do not. I am in the latter category. SB 179 or a version of it has been put forth several times but the legislature has refused to give it an up vote. Twenty-five percent of my winnings is a small price to pay for anonymity. Death on the other hand is a bigger price to pay. Life beats death every time. It is time for the people of Georgia to demand that they have a choice of publicity or anonymity if and when they win the BIG MONEY$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
It is a shame that this young man lost his life in this way. More people in the minority community play the lottery and have fewer options when it comes to "good"
advise when it comes to money matters. A windfall from the lottery is instant wealth and no knowledge as to how to manage it. A "fool"and his/her money will soon part (See story of women in North Carolina with a stupid boy friend) but Mr. Burch was no fool. He was the victim of a horrible crime. I do not know what his conduct was after he won the lottery but give us the option of being a "fool" by talking about our new found wealth or being a wise man/woman by claiming our winnings in anonymity. Do not let Georgians read about another horrible death and winning the lottery. (See story on Abraham Shakespeare)
Why would you want to hunt a human for sport?... God bless your soul!! Otoh: Such a sad story. May his soul rest in peace!
Will the BlackLivesMatter folks protest this killing? Yea that's what I thought. Put me on that jury!
Throw away the key.
Looks like a bad hair day.
Hoodrats and BumThugs!!
Who were going to spend that money they tried to steal on what, investments?
Throw away the key!!
Where's "Black Lives Matter" when you need 'em...
The lottery likes publishing the names of the winners because they want potential customers to know that real people get murdered when they win the lottery!
Knowing that you are going to get killed when you win is good for ticket sales say lottery spokespersons.
Anonymity is bad because it will decrease sales!
I don't agree with publishing the names, but something tells me this guy was bragging all over the place, more than likely in all the wrong places. Lesson learned....Keep it to yourselves.
Key? Six 45 ACP rounds cost about two bucks. Why should we continue to let scum like this take innocent lives then support them in a prison environment for X number of years until they eventually get released only to do it again?
I wonder if the girlfriend is involved? Something does not seem right with this story but happy to know that his children are safe despite their traumatic ordeal!
This why we must support State prosecutors. They must work to prove that these people are guilty when the law says they are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. The Universities and law schools produce future State and county prosecutors.
Then we must keep the innocents safe from criminals by paying for prisons.
What is missing in these suspects lives? Why did they turn out like this?
Should Gregory Burch have been armed to defend himself and his family? The cops are not next door ready to respond to your 911 call. You need time for the cops to get to you and save you.
Why do the majority of blacks support the Second Amendment? To protect themselves Why did Hitler take away all the guns? Learn the lesson of the Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe.
Please do not give away The Bill of Rights.
My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Burch Jr.
My head wants those slime balls to pay big time.
Here is a song lyric from one of my favorite past artists: Joe Zawinul from the Jazz Group "Weather Report" and "The Zawinul Sydicate".
This is a few lyrics from his CD "Black Water" from The Zawinul Syndicate song on "Black Water" 1989.
"Freedom is more precious than diamonds,
Justice more treasured than gold,
When you see the faces of children, Tell me what you feel in your soul.
Black and white is not the question, Just a matter of wrong or right.
When the bullets fall like raindrops, Where are you going to hide.
If we can't live together, There's going to be nasty weather."
from the song "Black Water" The Joe Zawinul Syndicate 1989.
Sad for the Burch's Family. What were these people thinking?
Hope they catch the last person. And all go to prison for life!
Just terrible to read these things about lottery winners.
I had prepared a lengthy comment to post, but I fear it would have gone mostly unread.
I'm a white man. And I refuse to have black friends or acquaintances, because of this story, which is nothing new to me.
It wasn't always like that, but now, since my last black acquaintance died due to asthma complications a few years ago, I'm finally "freed". No more black association. NONE.
And the lottery winner in this story looks to be of the same ilk as the thugs. He just wound up on the wrong end of the situation, carried out, in a careless manner, by these hoodlums.
Those mug shots look like a ghetto version of the Brady Bunch.
I feel so so sorry for this man's family. He won a lottery and low life dirtbags thought it was a good idea to kill him for what? They didn't get any money. These people are what prison's are made for. They need to be taken out of society till they turn to dirt. It won't fix all the ills nah, but they won't be able to do it again.
It's such a sad story but he had to let them know he won the lottery. I'm not saying it's right but nowadays you have to be careful who you let in your in your world because everybody doesn't have your best interest especially when come into money.
For the real news on this story you need to go to websleuths not on this site where nothing but judgemental name calling is being posted.
I was thinking the same thing. It also looks like the ghetto Hollywood squares.
Those mug shots look like a ghetto version of the Brady Bunch.
After reading some of these comments I would have to agree. Can't even go on a lottery site without a couple dumb redneck bigots talking out their ass, basically blaming the victim of this crime with preconceived notions of his character coming from the echo chamber in their heads.
I have had the privilege of working with some African American guys over the years, whom I have tremendous respect for. They did not look or act anything like the suspects in the picture. Quoting Martin Luther King, it's judging a person by their character. I can look at those dudes in the picture and most definitely judge them as drug-induced animals. I said in a post in a previous article about this that I believed drugs were in involved and I got raked being called a racist. Well, look real good at all of of them. NOT their color. Their faces. How they are dressed. Their hair. We see the same thing on the news every day. Just different cities. Different people, but the same crime, every day.
And, I echo the question by others posting before me. Why is it Black Lives Matter has not been heard from about this crime? Why hasn't Black Lives Matter protested, marched, and, oh yes, rioted (lets call it what it is) over this killing in cold blood, in front of children, no less?
I too, hope and pray those children do not turn out like the guys that killed their father. And that they can recover from the trauma from seeing such a crime.
.
Well first of all, look who is being spoken about.
Do the majority of the 7 people in the photo look like normal people?
Everything from hair-dos to facial expressions, to why they're in the photograph in the first place, to knowing what we all know of what they're capable.
How did they learn all those behaviors?
Now, if we were to bet how many of the males shown in the mug shots routinely go around with their pants below their under-wears, how would you answer? My answer would be:
"One is too many and disrespects the decency of the majority of the whites."
When will that rude practice of the blacks stop? And don't tell me it's a black thing. If that's a black thing, then go to Africa, where the decent people don't have to see that. Plenty of room over there, for that.
It's not the major, degrading, and tasteless behavior over here. Some men even walk around naked there.
Perhaps that would interest some of the youngsters in the photo?
Doesn't mean we want it over here.
I can't even walk into the local casino here, because I'm one of very few whites that wants to go there.
If something happens, and I remain alive, I'll likely be told "Well, you had no business in a black area".
But, it's mostly a white town!
That casino has been known for murders/robberies and the like. And that's just the day time.
And, by the way, have a good time, while your reading your own "real news".
Personally, I've had enough of blacks' antics, in this world.
I bet you're NOT laughing/giggling/chuckling now.
===================================
My thoughts exactly; loose lips sink ships as my late Mum would say.
What's a "wrong place" in Georgia, in the part where everyone's black?
Murderers and victims alike?
"Why hasn't Black Lives Matter protested, marched, and, oh yes, rioted (lets call it what it is) over this killing in cold blood"
This guy wasn't killed by the police.
As soon as he was killed it was treated as a criminal act.
The prosecutor in this case is going to work hard to get an indictment, and then work hard to get a conviction.
Anyone who can't figure out the answer to your question either has a remarkable ability to not know what's going on, or is a moron.
I was aware of that when I posted. My point is that Black Lives Matter really dont care about black lives. If they did they would speak up about their "bros" murdering blacks. There are far more black on black murders than black shootings by cops.
What a ignorant thing to say.
This really isn't a case to me that can be blamed on lack of anonymity
From all indications it is likely his openness about good fortune including charitable purchases around holiday that drew attention of these individuals
Also for this thread ,, There is good and bad in every community
Was the murderer of Abraham Shakeseare not a white women? A very manly looking one at that
Seems to me those commenting with some of the racial stuff have very little interaction with black community to begin with and draw all there conclusions based on mugshots and news stories
I live in a poor area that is predominantly black ,, Its not a good area but generally most people around are decent and just trying to get thru life. The scum simply stick out because of the violent/criminal acts that gain them notoriety