Two men have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in a shootout in a parking lot that led to a man’s death.
On March 22, a jury found Jermel Campbell, 30, and Trayvon Williams, 29, each guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, four counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony in connection with the death of Kevin Mcleod-Downer, 26.
DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick, who presided over the trial, sentenced both defendants Campbell and Williams to life in prison plus 25 years to serve consecutively.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred in the late evening hours of September 29, 2019, in the parking lot of The Mall at Stonecrest.
According to the investigation, Mcleod-Downer, his girlfriend and two friends were hanging out at Round1 Bowling & Arcade. The defendants, who were also at Round1 with a large group, could be seen on surveillance video throughout the evening displaying gang hand signs to various people. At one point, members of the defendants’ group attempted to hit on Mcleod-Downer’s girlfriend. When she didn’t respond to their advances, they took it as a sign of disrespect. As Mcleod-Downer and his group were leaving the facility, there was a verbal altercation between the two groups.
After the argument ended and the victim’s group walked towards their vehicle, video surveillance shows a member of the defendants’ group re-entering Round1. Shortly after this moment captured on video footage from outside Round1 arcade center by security cameras positioned near its entranceways where patrons frequently gather during peak hours due its popularity among locals looking for entertainment options close home; thus leading up-to when entire group went outside into parking lot area where confrontation escalated further resulting deadly consequences involving firearms usage both sides leading tragic outcome eventually loss innocent life midst chaotic scene unfolding before them.
When the victims became aware of the large group coming towards them they began running back towards car while friend retrieved firearm from vehicle but before he could use it Defendant Campbell fired fifteen shots direction while they took cover behind car subsequently Defendant Williams seen getting another firearm exchanging gunfire with victim’s friend during which time Campbell ran over took gun continued shooting towards victims ultimately firing fatal shot killed Mcleod-Downer shielding girlfriend from harm's way trying protect her amidst chaos ensuing around them
As defendants fled scene Taron Williams shot multiple times direction victims fleeing cars; however despite being set tried alongside others failed appear court issued bench warrant March eighteenth twenty-four taken custody will face trial later date yet determined
The case assigned Homicide Gangs Unit prosecuted Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Josh Geller assistance Senior Assistant District Attorney Hannah Pendergast DA Supervising Investigator Jacques Spencer Victim Advocate Christy Palmer DeKalb County Police Department Detective Tappan led initial investigation