Cobb County Man Sentenced to Life for Double Murder in Lawrenceville Marijuana Deal

A Cobb County man, Steven Tran, 23, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the fatal shooting of two men during a marijuana sale in Lawrenceville. A Gwinnett County jury convicted Tran on Friday of two counts of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of possession of a firearm during a felony.

Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Warren Davis handed down the sentence, ordering Tran to serve two consecutive life terms in prison followed by five years. The conviction brings closure to the families of the victims, as District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson stated, “We are pleased to bring justice to the two families of these victims who lost their lives during a senseless killing.”

The court heard that Tran arranged to purchase two pounds of marijuana from the victims and went to their Lawrenceville residence on April 16, 2020. Instead of completing the transaction, Tran robbed the men and opened fire, fatally shooting both victims. Evidence recovered from Tran’s Kennesaw home linked him to the crime, and he later confessed to the shootings.

The prosecution team, led by Assistant District Attorney Anthony Volkodav and Managing Assistant Marlene Oldeen, with assistance from DA Investigator Huggins, presented the case.