Thursday, September 14, 2023

Sentencing Update: State v. Gary Davis

Decatur, Ga.- An Atlanta man has been sentenced to life plus 15 years for his role in the fatal shooting of a driver who then crashed into an elderly woman’s apartment injuring her. 

Jurors returned guilty verdicts on June 29 against Gary Davis, 24, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and three counts of Aggravated Assault. 

On Tuesday, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie, who presided over the trial, sentenced Davis to life in prison plus 15 years; 10 of the years were for aggravated assault and the other 5 were for possession of a firearm. 

According to the investigation, Christopher Eure, 25, and Khalil Winborn, 23, dropped off a passenger at a Lithonia apartment complex on January 30, 2020. 

As Eure began to drive away, Defendant Davis ran up to the SUV and opened fire into the vehicle, shooting 16 rounds.  Eure lost control of the SUV and accelerated through the wall of Janet Thomas’ apartment, pinning her underneath the vehicle.  Thomas was 74 at the time. 

A stray bullet also went through the window of an 11-year-old boy’s bedroom in a different apartment.  Fortunately, no one inside that apartment was struck.

Paramedics transported Eure, Thomas and Winborn to Grady Memorial Hospital.  Winborn and Thomas were treated and ultimately released; Eure died of his injuries.

The case, assigned to the District Attorney’s Homicide & Gangs Unit, was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tauri Thomas with assistance from ADA Christine Caldwell, DA Investigator C. Hollowood, and Victim Advocate Ikwo Nyong.  DeKalb County Police Department Detective Crowe led the initial investigation.