By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — Authorities have made an arrest in the Oct. 8 shooting death outside a local night club.
The suspect is identified as Cordera Shantee Leverett, 30, of Americus. Charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, he is being held in the Sumter County Jail. He was arrested by the Georgia State Patrol during a traffic stop Sunday in Marion County.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region III Americus Office, along with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, had been involved in the investigation.
Authorities responded around 4:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 to the Astro Club at 153 Sunset Drive, just outside Americus. Americus Police also responded, as did EMS.
Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was dead, outside the club. The victim was identified as Kent Wimberly Jr., 29, of 507 W. Church St., Americus. Sumter County Deputy Coroner, J.B. Hicks, confirmed that Wimberly was dead at the scene. He said the body was sent to the State Crime Lab for autopsy, but it appeared he had died of a gunshot wound to the head.
When Wimberly’s girlfriend, who also at the scene, was told her boyfriend was dead, the woman became involved in an altercation with one of the sheriff’s deputies. Alexeus Brianna Mercer, 23, of 507 W. Church St., Americus was charged with obstruction of law enforcement officers and criminal trespass, and was jailed. She was released on bond the following Monday.