Gwinnett Jury Convicts Man for Killing Rider Who Gave Him a Lift, Gets Life Sentence

A Gwinnett County jury found Brian Sanchez Duarte, 32, guilty of malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the November 2022 shooting death of 22-year-old Alinton Joel Rivera-Zuniga. Duarte was sentenced to life in prison plus five years without the possibility of parole.

District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson called the killing “senseless” and said the verdict sends a message that deadly violence will not be tolerated.

The incident occurred on November 27, 2022, when Rivera-Zuniga was leaving the Alta Gama event hall in Norcross. He accepted a ride from Jose Caraballo-Mendez and Duarte in a red SUV. Security footage and trial testimony showed Duarte became agitated during the ride, ordered Rivera-Zuniga out of the vehicle, and shot him point-blank in the ear before reentering the SUV and driving away.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before returning the guilty verdicts.

Managing Assistant District Attorney Drew Unger and Assistant District Attorney Ramika Gourdine-Palmer prosecuted the case with support from investigators, victim advocates, and administrative staff. Gwinnett County Police Department detectives and the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner provided critical evidence and testimony that contributed to the conviction.