Crime
2 Suspects Arrested in Connection to Fatal Americus Shooting That Killed 5-Year-Old Girl
Americus, GA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested a second suspect in connection with the February 8 shooting at Eastview Apartments, which resulted in the death of 5-year-old Peyton Roberts and left two others injured.
On Thursday afternoon, GBI agents arrested 20-year-old Ny’Tavion Smith on charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery.
Smith was taken into custody during the execution of a search warrant conducted by the GBI Special Operations Unit, the GBI regional investigative office in Americus, and the Americus Police Department.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, GBI officials announced the arrest of 19-year-old Ricky Martin, who is also facing charges of felony murder and aggravated assault in connection with the same incident.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, when Americus Police responded to a shots fired call at an apartment complex located in the 600 block of Eastview Circle.
Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple gunshot victims. Peyton Brielle Roberts, 5, was critically wounded and later succumbed to her injuries at Phoebe Sumter Hospital.
A 19-year-old male victim was also transported to Phoebe Sumter before being airlifted to another medical facility, where he remains in critical condition.
A third victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Both Smith and Martin are currently being held at the Sumter County Jail as the investigation continues.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.