In the early hours of Friday, a sense of disbelief rolled through the neighborhoods of East Albany when 29-year-old Johnthan Wimbish was found shot in the roadway on the 1400 block of East Residence Avenue. At 3:13 a.m., officers from the Albany Police Department responded to reports of gunfire and discovered Wimbish unresponsive, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Tragically, he did not survive and was declared dead at the scene.
Investigators swiftly cordoned off the area, with detectives and crime-scene units gathering shell casings and other evidence while speaking to witnesses who might have seen or heard something in the darkness. At this stage, no suspect has been publicly identified, and the department is actively urging anyone who was in the area around that time to come forward — even if you think it might be nothing. You could be the piece that brings some clarity.
Wimbish was just 29 years old, and his loss has sent ripples of grief through his friends, family and the broader Albany community. He was described by those who knew him as a young man with promise and a bright future ahead — a life interrupted far too soon. Now his loved ones grapple not only with the shock of his death, but with the unanswered questions that linger.
Police have asked that anyone with information contact Crime Stoppers at 229-436-TIPS (8477) or the Albany Police Department at 229-431-2100. Tips can remain anonymous, and investigators say even small bits of information can help build a clearer picture of what happened that night and bring justice for Johnthan.
The neighborhood remains tense in the aftermath. Residents say the sound of gunfire so early in the morning rattled them, and many are uneasy with the idea that someone in their midst witnessed something but stayed silent. The mood is heavy, a mix of sorrow for the family and anger at a young life ended in this way. The department hopes the community will step up in the interest of safety for all.
As the investigation continues, authorities are reviewing nearby surveillance video, interviewing people who were in the area and processing physical evidence collected at the scene. No arrests have been announced yet, and no motive has been publicly disclosed. The case remains open and active.
In the meantime, the people of Albany — neighbors, friends, strangers alike — remain on edge, waiting for answers. A young father? A brother? A friend? Whatever his role in that community, Wimbish’s story serves as a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, and how important it is for a community to come together when tragedy strikes.
