A 16-year-old Statesboro teen pleaded guilty to murder earlier this month for his role in a 2025 shooting that left one dead and two others injured.
On January 14, 2025, Statesboro Police responded to a call and found that a physical altercation between what they referred to as “two groups” escalated into a shooting. 17-year-old Nasir Johnson was found deceased from gunshot wounds and two sixteen-year-olds were also shot.
Detectives with the Statesboro Police Department sought warrants for 14-year-old Robert Pierre Biggins III on charges of Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault with a firearm for the shooting death of 17-year-old Nasir Johnson. He was transported to the Youth Detention Center in Claxton, pending further court action.
The following month, a Bulloch County grand jury returned a True Bill of Indictment for Biggins on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, three counts of Aggravated Assault (one for each individual shot), and three counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
On February 4, 2026, represented by Conflict Defender Karen Brown, Biggins entered a guilty plea on charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony before Senior Judge John Turner in Bulloch County Superior Court.
Brown told the court that since the beginning of the case, Biggins had been “straightforward with the fact that he did not want a trial and that he did want to accept responsibility.” She then asked if Biggins could make a statement.
“I would like to apologize, excuse me, I’d apologize to the family. I did not know nobody. I didn’t intend to kill nobody. It was just terrible, like a bad mistake on my part. I don’t expect them to forgive me. I just wanted to get it off my chest. I wanted to apologize to my family too for making them look bad in the process…in the process of everything too and for everybody being in court today,” Biggins said.
Nasir Johnson’s mother addressed the court and Biggins, sharing that her son was very special to her and his family and that he was “a bright child and an honor child.” She also asked Biggins if he knew her son and meant to kill him. Biggins answered ‘no’ to both.
A second mother of one of the juvenile victims who survived also addressed the court and Biggins.
“I forgive you. Now for everybody else, I can’t speak for, but I forgive you. And I hate that a life was taken, two, you fixing to lose the rest of yours in a place that you don’t belong, you shouldn’t even be. You are a young, black, male and we’re losing them every day from those decisions. Pray on your bended knees and pray for forgiveness,” she told him.
A third mother of one of the juvenile victims who also survived addressed the court last.
“I just want to say I do forgive you and I pray every day for our kids and you, cause you’re still a child. But I forgive you and I accept your apology. But you make sure, while you in there, you pray, I mean pray, when you pray, you scream and pray so you can stay strong and get through,” she told Biggins.
Based on a joint recommendation from the state and the defense, Judge Turner sentenced Biggins as follows:
- Malice Murder – Nolle Prossed (a defendant cannot plead guilty to or be convicted of both Malice Murder and Felony murder for a single victim)
- Felony Murder – Life WITH the possibility of parole
- Aggravated Assault – This charge merged with the Felony Murder count since the Aggravated Assault is what resulted in the death of Nasir Johnson.
- Aggravated Assault – 20 years to serve (concurrent to Life Sentence)
- Aggravated Assault – 20 years to serve (concurrent to Life Sentence)
- Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony – 5 years probation (consecutive to count 2) plus a $1,000 fine.
- Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony – 5 years probation (consecutive to count 2)
- Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony – 5 years probation (consecutive to count 2)
In total, Biggins was sentenced to Life in prison WITH the possibility of parole, plus 15 years to be served on probation. He’s barred from having any contact with any victims or families of the victims and once he is released, he will be banished from the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit with the exception of travel on I-16 and I-95. He is also required to obtain his GED while in prison.
Biggins also received credit for time served ahead of conviction dating back to January 14, 2025.
He will remain in the custody of DJJ until he is an adult, at which time he will be transferred to the Georgia Department of Corrections to serve out the remainder of his sentence.
