DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the convictions of two men in the murder of a convenience store owner in Lithonia. On July 1, 2024, jurors found Ronnie Miller, 46, and Ricky Character, 24, guilty on charges including Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony related to the death of Tesfaye Birru, 57. Additionally, Miller was convicted on separate counts of Felony Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams sentenced Miller to life without parole plus 45 years and Character to life without parole plus 35 years.
The investigation revealed that officers from the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a call about a shooting at a convenience store on Evans Mill Road in Lithonia around 10 p.m. on February 19, 2020. Upon arrival, they found Birru deceased with multiple gunshot wounds. Surveillance footage showed three masked men with guns driving into the parking lot with their vehicle lights off and waiting for Birru to lock up the store before attacking him.
Police linked Miller to the crime through public tips and search warrants that uncovered incriminating evidence such as clothing items and cell phone data placing him at the scene. Further investigation into Miller's contacts led them to Character. Cell phone data also placed Character at the scene, and he made incriminating statements on social media.
Both defendants are also connected to a January 2020 robbery in Rockdale with similar circumstances. The third assailant remains unidentified.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jasmine Atakora with assistance from Senior Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Friedman, Investigator Christopher Usiak from the DA’s Office, and Supervising Victim Advocate Ikwo Nyong. Former DeKalb County Police Department Detective J.B. Williams led the initial investigation.