The Bibb County Sheriff's Office is investigating a homicide that occurred at the Rockland Apartments at 2295 Recreation Road.
It was a tearful scene Monday morning.
40 year old Milton Stephens Junior, or "Mit" as friends called him, was found shot in his home around 9:52 am.
Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said he was shot once in the chest. Rockland Apartments is off of Jeffersonville Road in east Bibb County.
Neighbors, friends, and family gathered to remember his life.
Cynthian Hartfield said she was his mother's best friend and knew Stephens since he was a baby.
"He was a loving person. A caring person. If he could do anything for you, he would," says Hartfield. "That's always been his personality. He was just a genuine person, and I can't imagine anybody wanting to harm him."
A friend of the family reveals that he came outside to sit on his step every morning. When neighbors had not heard from him Monday morning, they went to check on him and found him dead just inside the doorway.
His family says Stephens was in poor health. He was diabetic, legally blind, and was undergoing dialysis.
Officers say nothing was taken from his apartment and there were no signs of forced entry.
That leaves his loved ones left wondering...why?
"I don't understand why," says his friend Quint Byrd. "He had no enemy whatsoever."
Stephens' son, Deontray, says his favorite memory of his dad were a few words he will always remember:
"Keep doing a good job, son. I'm proud of you."
Deontray Stephens goes on to add that it is important to tell your loved ones what they mean to you, something he wishes he had done more.
"Today... this is a prime example of why we should never disrespect our parents," he says. "We never know what will ever happen to them."
Stephens' cousin says he was like a brother to him.
"He respected everybody and his heart was pure," says Jonathan Stephens. "He was a good man."
As a resident of Rockland himself, he no longer feels safe.
"It's time to move, says Stephens. "It's time to go somewhere and relocate. It's time for a better situation because this ain't right. The whole situation wasn't right."
As the tape comes down and the scene is cleared, people close to Stephens said they will try to return to normal and keep alive the memories of a good friend.
Witnesses told investigators that Milton Stephens Jr., 40, was found at about 9:52 a.m. Monday. He was shot to death in his apartment, according to a sheriff's office news release.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Bibb County Sheriff's Office at (478) 746-9441 or Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.
Check back with 13wmaz.com for more on this developing story.
