A Bulloch County jury last week convicted Lucas Lopez Fields of in connection with the gang-related robbery and shooting death of 17-year-old Jabari Nasir Walker in August 2023, District Attorney Catherine A. Sumner announced in an email release.
After his Oct. 30 conviction for malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, robbery by force, theft by receiving stolen property and three counts of violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Ronnie Thompson sentenced Fields, 20, to life in prison plus 15 years.
The state, represented by Assistant District Attorney JB Edwards, presented evidence showing that on Aug. 20, 2023, Statesboro Police Department officers and detectives responded to the Eagle Court Apartments on Lanier Drive regarding a robbery by force.
A man reported being robbed of his possessions by several other men who fled the scene in a vehicle. Less than one hour later, SPD officers and detectives responded to a residence on Ladd Circle following a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located Jabari Walker, who was dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators quickly linked the two incidents and determined they were connected to a vehicle previously reported stolen to the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office. Working in tandem with Sheriff's Office investigators, SPD officers recovered and processed the stolen vehicle after it was abandoned.
During the next two months, detectives executed search warrants for electronic data and physical premises while conducting extensive witness interviews, the release stated. On Nov. 9, 2023, four individuals, including Fields, were arrested and charged with various offenses related to the homicide and active participation in the criminal street gangs "Sex Money Murder" and "RMO."
Fields has remained in custody since his 2023 arrest.
The District Attorney's Office released a statement after the verdict commending the multi-agency collaboration that secured the conviction:
"We extend our sincere gratitude to the investigators, law enforcement partners, and forensic experts whose tireless efforts in this multi-agency investigation brought this defendant to justice and secured closure for Mr. Walker's family.
"Specifically, we recognize Detective Katie Reese, Interim Chief Jared Akins, Detective Keith Holloway, Detective Dustin Cross, Nicholas Sparks-Hoskins and Kyle Wright of the Statesboro Police Department; Investigator Don White and Investigator Will Sims of the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office; Jessica Romanski, Lauren Satcher, Kylee Traub and Dr. Sandra Reynolds of the GBI Crime Lab; Gang Intervention Expert Jose Ramirez; and Jerome De Sheers of the FBI Cellular Analysis Tracking Team."