A Phenix City teenager is in custody for the murder of Northside High graduate Anthony “Ant” Onochie according to investigators from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. On July 27, 2026, Lee County Investigators, the Lee County SWAT Team and members of the United States Marshal Service (Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force) conducted a search warrant in the 300 Block of Lee Road 706 in the Beauregard community of Lee County, where 18-year-old Raymond Drew Earl was taken into custody.
Earl is charged with murder and will be held in the Lee County Detention Center without bail, awaiting an Aniah’s Law hearing.
On July 11, 2026, Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call in the 800 block of Lee Road 197 in Lee County, AL, in reference to shots fired at an open house party where someone was struck. Upon arrival Deputies located Onochie laying in the yard with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the chest.
Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and immediately transported Onochie to Piedmont Hospital in Columbus, GA, where he later succumbed to his injury. Lee County Sheriff’s Office Investigators responded and were able to obtain enough evidence that later led to an arrest warrant for Earl from Phenix City.
Onochie was laid to rest Saturday July 25th, 2026. The recent high school graduate had plans to attend Georgia State in the fall and was remembered fondly by friends and former teachers.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).
Don’t miss what everyone in town is talking about.
Join 4,000+ locals and choose our free newsletter covering news, events and the stories shaping our region.
