The Gist: A dispute over $20 led to the fatal shooting of a transgender woman, Kenneth “Peaches” Armstrong, at a Lithonia motel.
What Happened?: 24-year-old Deontavious Brewer was found guilty by a jury on charges including felony murder and involuntary manslaughter. The incident occurred at the Knights Inn on Panola Road where Armstrong was found with multiple gunshot wounds.
Damon Allen, present in the room, was unharmed. The dispute revolved around money, with Armstrong refusing to give an additional $20 to longtime friend and co-defendant, Terrel Battle, 29. Surveillance footage captured Brewer firing 11 rounds into Armstrong’s room. Battle was seen driving the getaway car, a silver BMW.
By The Numbers:
- 11: Number of rounds Brewer fired into the motel room.
- $20: Amount of money at the center of the dispute.
- 25 years: Sentence given to Battle with 20 to serve in prison.
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What’s Next?: Brewer is set to be sentenced on Sept. 5 at 1:30 p.m. by Senior Judge David B. Irwin. Last year, Battle pled to reduced charges and was sentenced to 25 years, with 20 to be served in prison.
👮♂️ Gun Crimes in Our Communities: Here are statistics from The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit meticulously tracking gun incidents.
2023 Statistics:
- Total gun-related incidents: 39,135
- Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 18,874
- Gun-related injuries: 36,357
- Mass shootings: 656
2022 Statistics:
- Total gun-related incidents: 42,064
- Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 20,200
- Gun-related injuries: 38,500
- Mass shootings: 647
While firearm deaths and injuries saw a slight decline compared to previous years, mass shootings continued to rise, with 2023 surpassing 650 incidents. This underscores the continued severity of gun violence in the U.S.
To Be Clear: These aren’t just digits on a page. Each statistic represents a life affected, a community shaken.
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