Manager: Man shot at Georgia motel while trying to collect rent

What to do when you're stopped by police

MACON — A Middle Georgia motel manager says a man shot dead in an argument Wednesday took it on himself to collect back rent from other tenants in order to earn a room.

Kenny Wayne, who manages the Magnolia Court Motel in Macon, told WMAZ-TV that he met 32-year-old Lance Michael Terrell shortly before Terrell was fatally wounded.

Bibb County sheriff’s deputies charged 34-year-old Willie Lee Daniel III with murder, aggravated assault and a probation violation, saying Daniel shot Terrell during a fight.

Wayne said Terrell offered to collect rent to afford $40 for a room for himself. Wayne said he told Terrell “not now,” but Wayne said Terrell went to a room where Daniel was staying anyway.

“He knocked on the wrong door, I guess, and you know it could have been me that was shot because I tried to collect my rent money. But he took it upon himself to do my job and you see what happened."

- Kenny Wayne, who manages the Magnolia Court Motel in Macon

Wayne said Daniel and Terrell fought. Wayne said he called police after Daniel said he was getting a gun, and Wayne heard a shot. Daniel fled, leaving Terrell bleeding on the lawn of a neighboring convenience store. Bystanders tried to staunch the bleeding, but Terrell was pronounced dead at a hospital.

“He knocked on the wrong door, I guess, and you know it could have been me that was shot because I tried to collect my rent money," Wayne said. “But he took it upon himself to do my job and you see what happened.”

Deputies arrested Daniel later at a motel across the street, saying they found a gun.