Gwinnett County Teen Receives Life Sentence for Murder Committed at Age 15

A 19-year-old from Gwinnett County has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder for a crime he committed at the age of 15.

Abraham Quintanar was convicted on all eight counts, including murder, for his involvement in the February, 2020 incident, according to Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. The incident involved the killing of 28-year-old Marcus Gilead during an attempted armed robbery in Gilead’s driveway.

Quintanar held a weapon to Gilead as he sat in his car, while two other men searched for money they had paid earlier that day for marijuana, authorities stated. The situation escalated when a gunshot was fired, prompting Gilead to tackle Quintanar. In the ensuing struggle, Quintanar managed to retrieve his gun and fatally shot Gilead.

Quintanar confessed to firing his weapon, leading to his conviction on all charges after a jury trial. Another suspect pleaded guilty to reduced charges of voluntary manslaughter, while a third suspect awaits trial after being released on bond and placed under home confinement with an ankle monitor.

The official sentence handed down to Quintanar was life in prison plus five years, with the possibility of parole, despite his age at the time of the crime.