Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison for Fatal Shooting Inside Moving Vehicle in DeKalb County

DECATUR, Ga. — A woman has been convicted and sentenced in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred inside a moving vehicle, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office.

On April 23, 2026, a jury found 31-year-old Quenisha Poole guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault and related charges in the death of 45-year-old Erick Smith.

Investigators said Smith was dropped off at the emergency room at Emory Hillandale Hospital around 8:50 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2024, suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. He died from his injuries on Jan. 15.

Surveillance video showed a silver sedan dropping Smith off before leaving the scene. Detectives later identified and interviewed the driver, who told investigators that Smith, his girlfriend and her daughter, Poole, had spent the afternoon drinking and arguing at an apartment.

According to the investigation, the group later got into a vehicle, with Smith in the front passenger seat, his girlfriend seated behind him, and Poole sitting in the middle of the back seat. Another male was seated behind the driver.

Authorities said Smith and his girlfriend continued arguing in the vehicle. During the dispute, Poole became upset, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at Smith before firing a shot.

The driver told investigators he saw a flash and realized Smith had been shot. He then drove Smith to the hospital before taking Poole and her mother home.

Poole was arrested May 31, 2024, by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit after evading law enforcement for several months. She had been held in the DeKalb County Jail without bond.

Following the guilty verdict, Chief Judge Shondeana C. Morris sentenced Poole to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus an additional five years to be served consecutively.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Kara Roberts, with assistance from other members of the Homicide and Gangs Unit. DeKalb County Police Department Detective M. Knight led the initial investigation.