Decatur Man Sentenced to Life for Fatal Shooting of Tenant During Dispute

Decatur Man Sentenced to Life for Fatal Shooting of Tenant During Dispute

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction of Danny John Marillo Hunter, 34, in the fatal shooting of Kateasha Cardell, 40, and the assault of her fiancé, Karlo Dupree, 48.

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, a jury found Hunter guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. Chief Judge Shondeana Morris sentenced Hunter to life in prison.

The incident occurred on September 22, 2021, outside a home on Dove Valley Road in unincorporated Decatur. Police responded shortly after 4 p.m. and found Cardell lying in the middle of the road with a gunshot wound to the back of her neck. She was transported to Atlanta Medical Center but succumbed to her injuries.

Hunter was arrested at the scene, claiming the victims, who rented a home from his father, had made threats. Investigators later learned Cardell and Dupree had ongoing disputes with their landlord, Hunter’s father, over utilities being shut off and discrepancies in Cardell’s bank account.

On the day of the shooting, Cardell and Dupree went to the landlord’s house to discuss the issues. During the conversation outside the home, Hunter retrieved a revolver from inside and shot Cardell. As Dupree attempted to flee in his car, Hunter fired another shot at him. Dupree drove to the DeKalb County Jail to seek help from law enforcement.

Investigators determined neither Cardell nor Dupree were armed. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Kara Roberts and Parker Aziz, with support from District Attorney Investigator J.B. Williams and Victim Advocate Millicent Taylor. Detective Knight of the DeKalb County Police Department led the investigation.