Atlanta Man Sentenced to Life for Fatal Shooting Outside Rooming House

An Atlanta man convicted of shooting and killing a man outside a rooming house has been sentenced to life in prison. On Thursday, June 13, 2024, jurors found Sincere Rush, 22, guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony stemming from the death of Marcus Bradford, 51, on November 28, 2022. Today, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie, who presided over the trial, sentenced Rush to life in prison, plus five years suspended.

According to the investigation, around 10 p.m. on the night of the incident, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a report of a person shot at a home in the 3300 block of Clifton Church Road. When they arrived, they found Bradford on the ground in the carport of the home with a gunshot wound to his torso. Rush was also at the scene.

Investigators learned the homeowner does not live on the property but rents each of the five bedrooms to separate tenants. Bradford’s girlfriend was one of the renters. She explained to police that she and Bradford were sitting in a car in the carport eating pizza when Rush came outside and confronted Bradford, saying, “Y’all know I sleep right here, right?” Bradford got out of the car to talk to Rush and explained that he and his girlfriend were not being loud, but Rush shot him.

Rush called 911 and claimed Bradford had approached him aggressively and that he shot Bradford in self-defense. Surveillance video from the carport, however, captured audio and video of the murder. The footage showed Rush went to the carport with a gun and Bradford was unarmed during the exchange.

The case, assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit, was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tauri Thomas with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Emily Donkervoet, District Attorney Investigator Christopher Hollowood, and Supervising Victim Advocate Ikwo Nyong. DeKalb County Police Department Det. Smith and Det. Wright led the initial investigation.