D.A. BRODER ANNOUNCES A CONVICTION

On Sunday, December 19th, a Fayette County jury convicted Sean Allen, a 20-year-old male from Jonesboro, Georgia, of Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault. Allen was convicted after a weeklong trial and two days of deliberation. The State was represented by Assistant District Attorney Monique Harris and Assistant District Attorney Dan Hiatt. The Honorable Benjamin D. Coker sentenced the defendant to Life in prison after the jury announced its verdict. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

The case stemmed from a shooting at Kenwood Park in Fayetteville, Georgia. Daquan Gillett, an 18-year-old senior at Riverdale High School was there with his brother and friends to participate in a water gun fight in celebration of graduation. As they were playing with their water guns, a group of males led by Sean Allen walked down from the basketball court and engaged in a verbal confrontation with the twin brothers. Sean Allen and another one of his friends were both illegally carrying loaded firearms at the time. The verbal confrontation led to a physical altercation which resulted in Sean Allen dropping his firearm. That fight concluded and Sean Allen retrieved his firearm from the ground prior to initiating a second physical altercation with the victim. During the second altercation, Sean Allen again dropped his firearm which led to a scramble to pick up the firearm. The victim picked up the firearm and retreated from the altercation. Subsequently, Sean Allen grabbed the second firearm and ran towards the victim firing multiple shots in his direction. The victim sustained two fatal gunshot wounds, one in the back of his leg and the other in the back of his head. The defendant and his friends fled the scene while the victim’s twin brother and friends attempted to render aid as they awaited the arrival of EMS. The incident was captured on the park surveillance video system which helped to secure the convictions against the defendant for Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault.

District Attorney Marie Broder said of the case: “This case is a reflection of a growing trend in this Circuit and across the State where altercations turn deadly because of the unlawful use of a firearm. The results for the young people involved in this case were tragic. The results for the young people involved in this case were tragic. This past week, my office worked incredibly hard to present this case, and I am exceptionally proud of their efforts. I would also like to extend my thanks for the incredible work of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in its investigation. My prayers go out to the family of the victim. To those who inflict tragic and senseless gun violence in my Circuit, know this, the agencies within this Circuit and my office will use all our resources to prosecute you and keep this Circuit a safe place to be. May this case be a message to you that we will do everything we can to make sure our parks remain safe for our children.”