⚖️ The Gist: Jermel Campbell, 30, and Trayvon Williams, 29, have been convicted of murder and other charges for their roles in a September 2019 shootout at The Mall at Stonecrest that claimed the life of 26-year-old Kevin Mcleod-Downer. Both men were sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years.
🔍 The Background: The deadly incident unfolded on the evening of September 29, 2019, after a verbal altercation between Mcleod-Downer’s group and the defendants’ group, who had been seen on surveillance video displaying gang signs throughout the night. The argument began when members of the defendants’ group attempted to hit on Mcleod-Downer’s girlfriend and took her lack of response as a sign of disrespect.
🎥 Caught on Camera: Surveillance footage captured the events leading up to the shootout:
- As Mcleod-Downer’s group walked to their vehicle, a member of the defendants’ group re-entered Round1 Bowling & Arcade before the entire group went outside to the parking lot.
- Mcleod-Downer’s friend retrieved a firearm from their vehicle as the defendants’ group approached, but Defendant Campbell fired 15 shots in their direction before he could use it.
- Defendant Williams also obtained a firearm from his car and exchanged gunfire with the victim’s friend.
😔 The Tragic Outcome: During the shootout, Campbell took the gun from Williams and continued firing towards the victims. He fired the fatal shot that killed Mcleod-Downer as he shielded his girlfriend from the gunfire.
⚖️ The Verdict: On March 22, a jury found both Campbell and Williams guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, four counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick sentenced each defendant to life in prison plus 25 years to be served consecutively.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
