Life Sentence Handed Down in Austell Shooting Case

Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. announced today that Sony Lebrun, 37, has been found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Superior Court Judge Sonja N. Brown sentenced Lebrun to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with an additional 10 years to serve in confinement.

The incident dates back to August 6, 2021, when Cobb County Police responded to reports of shots fired and a vehicle crashing into the gate at the Premier Lane Apartments in Austell. The victim, identified as Eric Stone, was found deceased in the crashed vehicle, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses at the scene implicated Sony Lebrun, citing an ongoing dispute between Lebrun and the victim stemming from a prior road rage incident.

Further investigation revealed that two witnesses who were with the victim fled the scene and one of them was observed retrieving a firearm from an apartment building and firing in the direction of Lebrun’s apartment. Although no injuries or damages resulted from this second shooting, a warrant was issued for the individual’s arrest.

During police questioning, Lebrun denied involvement in the shooting. However, evidence obtained from Lebrun’s phone, including GPS tracking and Activity Sensor data, placed him at the scene of the crime. Surveillance footage from multiple locations corroborated Lebrun’s presence at the time of the shooting, leading to his conviction for Stone’s murder.

“This conviction serves as a testament to the dedication of our staff and the tireless efforts of law enforcement in safeguarding our community,” remarked District Attorney Flynn D. Broady.

Assistant District Attorneys Jay Winkler and Donna Merrell prosecuted the case on behalf of the state, while the defendant was represented by John Greco.