DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a man accused of shooting his roommate in a dispute over the same gun that killed the victim.
On Thursday, jurors found Zakariya Wildman, 25, guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony stemming from the death of Kali Winston, 28.
According to the investigation, officers from the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a call of a person shot at a home in the 1400 block of Meadowlark Drive in unincorporated Decatur on January 12, 2023. Residents of the home told officers that their roommate, Wildman, had purchased a gun that morning and decided to shoot targets in the backyard that evening. Neighbors expressed concern for children living and attending school in the neighborhood due to the gunshots.
The roommates informed officers that Winston confronted Wildman about his actions, leading to a verbal dispute which quickly escalated into a physical fight. The roommates managed to separate the two men and end the altercation.
Wildman then walked to his room and retrieved his gun. One roommate ran for help while Winston’s girlfriend witnessed Wildman walk into the living room and shoot her boyfriend in the chest. Wildman fled on foot; Winston succumbed to his injuries.
Wildman was found shortly afterward walking in the neighborhood and was apprehended without incident. He claimed self-defense despite admitting that the fight had ended.
DeKalb County Senior Judge Alan C. Harvey sentenced Wildman to serve life in prison.
The case was assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit and prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Helen Pott with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Miriam Broussard, District Attorney Investigator Curtis Averhart, and Victim Advocate Kaysha Albritton. DeKalb County Police Department Det. Muller led the initial investigation.