Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Fatal Shooting Outside Lithonia Sports Bar
A Gwinnett County man has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole for the fatal shooting of a stranger outside a DeKalb County sports bar in 2024.
On June 25, 2025, a DeKalb County jury found 39-year-old Henry Maurice Anderson guilty of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in the death of 34-year-old Ceazar Abernathy.
According to the investigation, DeKalb County police responded to a shooting on the 2900 block of Evans Mill Road in the early morning hours of April 6, 2024. Officers found Abernathy lying near a parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Five shell casings were recovered nearby.
Surveillance footage showed Abernathy exiting his vehicle and approaching an area between the restaurant and a nearby gas station. He was then seen interacting with Anderson. After a brief exchange, Abernathy attempted to run but collapsed. Anderson was seen walking away.
Shortly afterward, officers received a 911 call about a suspicious person at a nearby personal care home. The man matched the suspect’s description and was later identified as Anderson. He was arrested and found in possession of a firearm and hallucinogenic mushrooms. The gun was later confirmed to match the shell casings from the crime scene.
During questioning, Anderson claimed he was under the influence of mushrooms and denied being at the restaurant. The jury rejected his defense.
Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson sentenced Anderson to life without the possibility of parole, plus 15 years.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Helen Pott of the Homicide and Gangs Unit, with assistance from Senior ADA Parker Aziz, DA Investigator Curtis Averhart, Victim Advocate Kaysha Albritton, and Law Intern Madeline Ligameri. Detective A. Campbell of the DeKalb County Police Department led the investigation.
