Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

(Buford, Georgia) On Sunday, April 19, Denicia Williams (age 20) called the Gwinnett County Police Department to report that her former boyfriend (Prince Shembo, age 23, Atlanta Falcons Football Player) killed her dog. According to the initial report, Williams and her Yorkie dog named Dior went to Shembo’s home at the Century at Mill Creek Apartments (2705 Mall of Georgia Boulevard, Buford) on April 15. At some point during her stay, she left Shembo and her dog unattended. When she later found Dior, he was unresponsive.

Williams picked up her dog and took it to Duluth Animal Hospital for treatment. Dior died shortly after her arrival.

The next day (April 16), Williams and Shembo were talking on the phone about the incident. During the conversation, Shembo made comments to her that he had kicked her dog. At this point, she ended their relationship.

The body of the deceased dog was taken to the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter to undergo a necropsy. The necropsy occurred on April 21. Following the necropsy, tissues samples were sent to the University of Georgia for further testing.

While awaiting the results, the lead investigator conducted a few telephone interviews with Shembo. The final results were completed on Thursday, May 28. Dior had significant internal injuries and the cause of death was Blunt Force Trauma. Because of the inconsistencies of the suspect’s account of what happened and the results of the necropsy, a warrant were obtained for Prince Shembo for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals on Friday, May 29. Details of the warrant say that the dog had a fractured rib, fractured liver, abdominal hemorrhage, thoracic hemorrhage, extensive bruising / hemorrhage in muscles in front leg and shoulders, head trauma, hemorrhage and edema in lungs, hemorrhage between the esophagus and trachea, and hemorrhage in the left eye with internal injuries.

The lead investigator contacted the Atlanta Falcons to inform them of the warrant.