Clayton County Man Sentenced to Life for Fatal Shooting Over Unpaid Loan

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case of a Clayton County man who fatally shot a friend during a dispute over an unpaid loan.

On Friday, August 15, 2025, a jury found 52-year-old Shiva Vereen guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the shooting death of 45-year-old Andrew Carpenter.

According to the investigation, DeKalb County Police officers responded to a shooting call around 3:15 a.m. on February 13, 2023, at a sports bar on Evans Mill Road in the City of Stonecrest. Carpenter was found deceased in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds.

Surveillance video showed that Vereen arrived at the location at 2:30 a.m. and confronted Carpenter inside the bar. The two men later sat inside Carpenter’s SUV for approximately 40 minutes. After exiting the vehicle, Carpenter remained outside with friends, while Vereen retrieved a gun from his own car. Vereen then shot Carpenter eight times before fleeing the scene.

Three weeks later, Vereen was arrested in Texas on an outstanding murder warrant after being stopped for driving with a fake dealership tag.

During the trial, Vereen claimed he acted in self-defense after Carpenter allegedly threatened his family with a gun, and further stated he blacked out during the shooting. However, prosecutors presented text messages exchanged in the months prior showing Vereen’s anger over Carpenter owing him $1,600.

Following the guilty verdict, Judge Alan C. Harvey sentenced Vereen to life in prison plus five years to be served consecutively.

The case, assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit, was prosecuted by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Josh Geller, with assistance from Senior Assistant District Attorney Connor Payne, District Attorney Investigator Tiffany Edwards, and Victim Advocate Amina Abdul-Muhaymin. The investigation was led by DeKalb County Police Detective C. Heavner.