Officials actively investigating domestic-related murder-suicide incident in Dougherty, Lee Co.

DOUGHERTY/LEE Co., Ga. – Officials are investigating after an apparent domestic-related murder-suicide.

Early this morning, around 3 a.m. on Friday, September 19th, officers with the Albany Police Department (APD) responded to the 1400 block of Lee Street in Albany after reports of a shooting.

The body of a female victim, 50-year old Leigh Bowen Dyson, was discovered dead inside a car from what appeared to be a gunshot wound when they arrived.

According to investigators, another male victim, 29-year-old Phares Taylor Jr., who was also present at the scene was shot by the suspect. The victim fled the scene to seek medical attention for a minor in injury.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) SWAT Team assisted the APD in serving a search warrant at a home in 100 block of Hearthstone Drive in Lee County.

Upon entrance, the suspect, later identified as 56-year-old, Allen Dyson was found deceased inside the residence from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officials say the scene has been cleared and there is no threat to the public.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

Full press releases:

“On September 19, 2025, officers responded to the 1400 block of Lee Street in reference to a reported shooting before 3:00 A.M. Upon arrival, officers discovered a female victim, identified as Leigh Dyson (50), deceased inside a vehicle from an apparent gunshot wound.

The investigation revealed that Phares Taylor Jr. (29) was also present during the incident and was fired upon by the suspect. Taylor fled the scene and later received medical treatment for a minor injury. He is considered a victim in this case.

The suspect, identified as Allen Dyson (56), fled the scene following the shooting. Officers obtained arrest and search warrants, and the Lee County SWAT team was activated to serve the warrants. Dyson was later located at his residence, where he was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Multiple firearms were recovered from the residence.

This incident is being investigated as a domestic-related homicide and aggravated assault. The case is considered cleared by the death of the offender.

We send our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and acknowledge the profound impact this tragedy has had on everyone involved.” – Chief of Police, Michael J. Persley, Albany Police Department (APD)

Our SWAT Team executed the warrant without incident, and the scene has since been cleared. There is no threat to the public. Additional details will be released by the Albany Police Department.

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