Georgia Man Sentenced to Life After Pleading Guilty in 2023 Murder of 15-Year-Old

COVINGTON, Ga. — A man who was 16 years old when he fatally shot a 15-year-old boy in 2023 has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to life in prison.

Newton County District Attorney Randy McGinley announced that Dameko Tyrekies Boswell entered guilty pleas Thursday morning, June 25, to multiple charges stemming from the killing of Larry Simmons.

According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred at approximately 1 a.m. on July 31, 2023, near Nixon Circle and Johnson Drive in Covington.

Investigators said Simmons and two other teenagers were walking through the area when Boswell approached them from behind and fired at least four shots. Simmons was struck three times in the back and died from his injuries. The other two teens were not injured.

Authorities said much of the shooting was captured by surveillance cameras operated by the Housing Authority.

Covington police officers, who were already canvassing the area following a separate fatal shooting the previous night, heard the gunfire and quickly responded, locating Simmons.

Investigators determined Boswell fled to a nearby family member’s apartment, where he hid the handgun and his hooded sweatshirt inside a blanket in a bedroom. Officers recovered the firearm later that night.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab later confirmed Boswell’s DNA was present on the handgun and identified it as the weapon used in the murder. Investigators also determined the firearm had recently been reported stolen during a vehicle burglary.

Boswell pleaded guilty to Malice Murder, Felony Murder, three counts of Aggravated Assault, three counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession of a Handgun by a Person Under 18.

He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Under Georgia law, he will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least 30 years.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito and the Newton County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation was conducted by the Covington Police Department with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab.

District Attorney Randy McGinley said the guilty plea spared the victim’s family from having to endure a trial and urged parents to be aware of their children’s activities, particularly late at night and on social media, in an effort to help prevent youth gun violence.