Macon man sentenced to 25 years for shooting domestic partner

The charges stem from an April 12, 2024, incident on Date Avenue, where Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after authorities say he shot his domestic partner and attempted to mislead investigators, according to a news release from the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

Hiakeem Dillard was sentenced March 3, 2026, to 25 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison. He was convicted of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence and failure to register as a sex offender.

The charges stem from an April 12, 2024, incident on Date Avenue, where Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim. When deputies arrived, they found a victim who had been shot.

According to authorities, Dillard was at the scene and gave deputies a false name, identifying himself as “Juwaskee Stanly.” Investigators said he also told deputies the victim had been hit by a stray bullet during a drive-by shooting.

Investigators later determined that account was false. Authorities said crime scene evidence, including the absence of blood or shell casings outside the home, did not support the claim.

Interviews with Dillard’s mother and aunt, who were inside the residence at the time, revealed his true identity and implicated him in the shooting, according to investigators. Authorities said Dillard later admitted he shot the victim during an argument after believing she had been unfaithful.

Investigators also determined Dillard failed to register as a sex offender in April 2024, which violated Georgia law.

At the time of the incident, Dillard was already on probation for a prior failure to register conviction. Authorities said that probation was revoked in full following the new charges, and his probationary term now extends through 2032.

District Attorney Anita Howard released the following statement:

“The victim in this case was shot by someone she trusted and then watched him try to erase what he did. This office exists for moments like this. We stand in the gap for victims so they don’t stand alone.”