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.
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 Violence:
According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit organization that tracks gun-related incidents in the United States, there were:
In 2020:
- 43,551 total gun-related incidents, including:
- 19,379 gun-related deaths
- 39,707 gun-related injuries
- 612 mass shootings (defined as an incident in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter)
In 2019:
- 39,707 total gun-related incidents, including:
- 15,208 gun-related deaths
- 29,613 gun-related injuries
- 417 mass shootings
These numbers include homicides, suicides, unintentional discharges, and defensive gun use.
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