Stone Mountain Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Teen’s Shooting Death in 2020

Trillian Haile, a resident of Stone Mountain, has been sentenced to 25 years following a guilty verdict returned by jurors on March 13. The charges against Haile include Voluntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Dontavious Young on September 8, 2020.

Presiding over the trial, Senior Judge David Irwin of the DeKalb County Superior Court sentenced Haile to 20 years in confinement and an additional 5 years on probation.

The incident unfolded when officers from the Stone Mountain Police Department responded to reports of a shooting on Cherry Wood Drive. Upon arrival, they found Young lying in the road with multiple gunshot wounds, alongside an empty holster. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Young succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy later revealed that he had sustained 13 gunshot wounds.

During the investigation, officers encountered Haile standing in front of a nearby residence, with two handguns laid on the ground in front of him, one of which belonged to Young. Haile claimed to have been shot as well and was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment.

In a subsequent interview with detectives, Haile asserted that he acted in self-defense, stating that he did not know Young. According to Haile’s account, Young allegedly approached him and attempted to rob him at gunpoint while he was sitting outside. Haile claimed to have retaliated by drawing his own firearm, resulting in an exchange of gunfire between the two. Haile further claimed that despite Young attempting to flee and apologizing, he continued to shoot until Young was fatally wounded.