GBI Arrests Quitman Man in Brooks County Homicide Investigation

Quitman, Georgia (March 15, 2024) — The GBI has arrested and charged Jonah Kenney, age 27, of Quitman, GA, with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during a crime in Brooks County, Georgia. On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at about 8:40 p.m., the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to assist with an investigation into the shooting death of Jed Maichele, age 56, of Quitman, GA.

On March 13, 2024, at about 8:00 p.m., Brooks County 911 received multiple calls of a person shot in the 1800 block of Blair Road. Deputies responded and located Maichele with apparent gunshot wounds. EMS personnel took Maichele to the Brooks County Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The investigation determined Kenney, who is Maichele’s nephew, was involved in the incident. A Georgia State Patrol Trooper later stopped Kenney in the area for unrelated traffic violations.

After being interviewed by GBI agents, Kenney was arrested and booked into the Brooks County Jail.

Maichele will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

This case is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Thomasville at 229-225-4090. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.