Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Killing Teen at Decatur Candlelight Vigil in 2022

DECATUR, Ga. — A DeKalb County man has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old during a candlelight vigil in 2022, prosecutors said.

Kevin Demarco Grier, 35, was convicted by a jury March 13, 2026, on charges including malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or first offender probationer.

On April 17, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie sentenced Grier to life without parole.

The conviction stems from the November 27, 2022, killing of Ian Hagerty, 17, at an apartment complex in the 2000 block of Flat Shoals Road in unincorporated Decatur.

According to prosecutors, Hagerty was attending a candlelight vigil for another teen who had recently been killed during an attempted home invasion when Grier approached him in the crowd and opened fire.

Witnesses told investigators the shooting happened shortly after balloons were released during the vigil.

Prosecutors said surveillance video showed the shooter firing at Hagerty after he had fallen to the ground, then pacing nearby before getting into a vehicle and leaving the scene.

After police released still images of the suspect to the public, tips led investigators to identify Grier, who was arrested January 27, 2023, at a residence in unincorporated Decatur without incident.

He had remained in the DeKalb County Jail without bond since his arrest.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tauri Williams, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Bren Routly.