SAVANNAH, GA (December 19, 2022) – SPD announced $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the May fatal shooting of a 15-year-old in Yamacraw Village.
“Detectives have been working tirelessly to go through the evidence and information as it comes in,” Lt. Zachary Burdette said. “As of today, which we just passed the seventh month, we don’t have any information leading to an arrest.”
Around 10 p.m. May 6, officers responded to the 900 row of Yamacraw Village for a shooting and discovered Desaray Gilliard suffering from gunshot wounds. She was transported to a hospital, where she died as a result of her injuries.
Later that month, SPD offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. The department is again increasing the reward in hopes it will create more leads that could lead to an arrest.
“We cannot give the Gilliard family their daughter back, but what we can do, with the community’s help, is provide answers and justice,” Chief Lenny Gunther said. “We know there are likely multiple people in the area who know who is responsible for Desaray’s death, and we hope that this additional reward will be enough to bring that information forward.”
Desaray’s mother Detraya Gilliard gathered with homicide detectives at Yamacraw Square today to announce the reward increase. Gilliard said every day has been a struggle, but the holidays have especially been difficult without her daughter and without answers.
“Desaray had so many dreams, so many ambitions,” she said. “She has so much to contribute to the world, and to leave the world at just 15 is just saddening. I would never want any parent, mother, father, family to endure what I have to. I live in torment every day without my little girl beside me. If anyone knows anything, please come forward.”
Anyone with information on the incident should contact the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at Violent Crime Tip Line at (912) 525-3124 or CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through a CrimeStoppers online tip portal at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=757. Tipsters may qualify for a reward of up to $2,500, depending on the severity of the crime.