The search for a Metter man wanted on murder charges continues as Akeem Ajima Lanier remains at large.

Lanier, 29, is wanted for the shooting death of James Edward Butler Jr., 27,who died at the scene of a shootout Saturday, Nov. 11 at 820 Hodges Street in Metter.

Butler had residences in both Swainsboro and Metter, said Joshua Ayer, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of Statesboro's Region 5 Georgia Bureau of Investigation office.

Also shot was Byron Brown, 28, of Metter, He was air-lifted to Savannah for medical treatment and is recovering in stable condition after surgery for a broken femur, said interim Metter Police Chief Rob Shore.

Lanier has not been charged in Brown’s shooting, but investigation is ongoing and charges may be pending. Both Butler and Lanier had guns, firing shots during a dispute Saturday around 12:30 a.m., he said.

The United States Marshal Service and Candler County Sheriff’s Office has joined the Region 5 GBI and Metter Police Department in seeking Lanier. Warrants for his arrest on murder charges were issued Monday.

An autopsy performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Savannah confirmed Butler died of a single gunshot wound. Shore said.

        The case remains under investigation and further charges may be pending, Ayer said.

 
        The GBI is asking for anyone with information about the incident or who knows Lanier's whereabouts, to please contact the GBI at (912) 871-1121 or the Metter Police Department at (912) 685-5437.
        Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.