Family house party turns deadly, Conyers Police announce $5,000 reward for second suspect in connected case

Conyers, GA—The Conyers Police Department has announced a a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect involved in a shooting on June 14 at 1160 Forest Villa Drive in Conyers. 

That incident is connected to a June 13 shooting on Janice Lane that claimed the life of Dearrious Davenport, 30, of Conyers.

Davenport, a father of three children, was at a house party with cousins when an argument escalated into gun violence. Police were dispatched around 10:50 p.m. to 1290 Janice Lane where they found Davenport lying in the road from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene, police said. Davenport was trying to protect a younger female cousin, his wife, Aaliyah McGriff, told WSB-TV Channel 2.  

Tamorris D. Tyler, 33, of Covington was arrested and charged with Davenport’s murder after an intensive five to six-hour manhunt in the Sigman Road and Old Camp Road area. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the manhunt. Tyler, who is an ex-convict, faces charges that include murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was booked into the Rockdale County Jail, authorities said. 

Conyers Police Captain Quantavis Garcia said during a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 17, that the family dispute continued on Saturday, June 14, as relatives were holding a vigil for Davenport at 1160 Forest Villa Drive. Several vehicles were damaged by gunfire including one where bullets narrowly missed a 3-year-old child who was sitting in the back seat of a vehicle. A 15-year-old was inside the vehicle with the child. Fortunately, the children were not hurt, authorities said. 

Captain Garcia vowed that the suspect would be pursued “relentlessly” by authorities. 

“We want the citizens of our community to understand that this type of violence will not be tolerated in our city,” Capt. Garcia said. “We will continue to hunt and relentlessly pursue those who  are targeting our city and our citizens. And we ask that the public help us by providing information that will lead to their arrest.”   

Anyone with information concerning the shooting cases or the suspect at large is urged to contact the Conyers Police Department at 770-929-4203 or Crime Stoppers tip line at 404-577-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous and maybe eligible for a $5,000 reward. 

Aaliyah McGriff has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to assist her and her three children as a result of the family’s tragedy. The page shows that  $1,800 has been raised so far. In her plea for  assistance, she stated that her husband was defending a family member when he was “taken,” saying: 

“He was taken from us during an innocent act of taking up for his family. The money he had was stolen was meant for our rent. It hurts beyond words to know that he died trying to provide for us, like he always did. I recently started a new job, and I’m doing everything I can to stay strong for our children, but I can’t do this alone.”

Photo via FB: Dearrious Davenport  is pictured with his and Aaliya McGriff’s three children.