DA: Houston County men get decades in prison for Michael Cooper killing
The men pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and related charges after prosecutors said they hunted down Cooper and opened fire in traffic.
UPDATE (9/12/25): Three men have been sentenced for voluntary manslaughter in connection with the January 2023 shooting death of Michael Cooper in Warner Robins, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Eric Z. Edwards announced in a news release Friday that 24-year-old Shadarrius Dyone Hogan Jr. of Warner Robins; 22-year-old Vincent Maurice Winston of Perry, and 23-year-old Chancellor Stephen Williams of Warner Robins, each pleaded guilty and received prison sentences.
Hogan pleaded guilty on Friday to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer. Houston Circuit Superior Court Judge Katherine K. Lumsden sentenced him to 30 years in prison. Winston and Williams pleaded guilty earlier this year to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony. They were each sentenced to 25 years in prison. Their sentences were conditioned upon their truthful testimony if called to testify at Hogan’s trial, which was scheduled to begin later this month.
The District Attorney’s Office said the shooting happened January 16, 2023, at the intersection of North Davis Drive and Ignico Drive. Cooper was shot multiple times, including a wound that penetrated his lung and heart. He was pronounced dead at Houston Medical Center.
According to investigators, surveillance footage from nearby businesses showed the vehicles involved in the shooting. Video from a convenience store at 544 N. Davis Drive showed Cooper confronting Hogan during an argument before the shooting. After leaving the store, Hogan picked up Winston and Williams. The three then set out to look for Cooper while armed with two handguns. Prosecutors said Winston and Williams opened fire on Cooper’s car during a chase, hitting him at least four times.
Cooper crashed into a utility pole while trying to drive to the hospital. Investigators recovered his handgun from the vehicle and determined he did not fire it.
“This was a senseless act of violence that played out on our city streets in view of the community and cost Michael Cooper his life,” Edwards said in the release. “After an argument, these defendants armed themselves, hunted him down, and opened fire in traffic—endangering not only their intended target but everyone on the roadway that afternoon. Houston County will not tolerate reckless gun violence. Thanks to the diligent investigation by the Warner Robins Police Department, particularly Detective Joshua Dokes, and the prosecution by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sandra Matson, all three men have been convicted and will spend decades in prison. Our community is safer today because of their work, and this outcome sends a clear message that those who turn to gun violence will be held fully accountable.”
UPDATE (1/24): Three people have been arrested in connection with the shooting of Michael Cooper.
According to WRPD, 21-year-old Shadarrius Hogan of Macon was arrested on January 18 and is being charged with murder and aggravated assault.
22-year-old Tionne Beasley of Macon was arrested January 21 and is being charged with murder and hindering apprehension.
19-year-old Vincent Winston of Perry was arrested on January 21 and is being charged with murder and aggravated assault.
UPDATE: WRPD says officers responded to the scene about a vehicle that had struck a pole and left the area. The first officer on the scene found the vehicle on fire and found that there were bullet holes in the vehicle.
Detective Dokes found that the suspect behind the shooting had an argument with the shooting victim earlier in the day, and that they met up while driving at the intersection of North Davis Drive and Ignico Drive. That’s where police say there was an exchange of gunfire, and the victim drove about a block before crashing into the pole.
UPDATE: We now know the identity of the victim in Monday’s shooting.
Coroner James Williams identified the victim as 41-year-old Michael Cooper of Warner Robins. Cooper’s body is being sent to the GBI crime lab for an autopsy.
ORIGINAL STORY:
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Warner Robins Police are investigating a shooting Monday that left a man dead.
A WRPD news release says officers responded to a person shot call at 699 North Davis Drive just after 7:30 p.m. and discovered the victim’s vehicle had been involved in a single-vehicle collision.
The victim, a 41-year-old man, was taken to Houston Medical Center by a third party who police say realized the victim had been shot.
The man, whose identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin, died at the hospital.
Contact Det. Dokes at (478) 303-5380 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68-CRIME if you have any information.
