Two Teens Sentenced to Life in Prison for Shooting Death of Johnson County High School Football Star

The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced that 18-year-old Kemare Bryan and 19-year-old Chandler Richardson have both pleaded guilty to Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in the shooting death of 18-year-old Elijah DeWitt on October 5, 2022. DeWitt, a star football player for Jackson County High School in Hoschton, Georgia, was shot and killed in the parking lot of Sugarloaf Mills Mall outside the Dave & Buster’s in Lawrenceville.

Bryan spoke about the events of that night, explaining that the suspects asked DeWitt and a friend for marijuana but did not pay for it. After spotting DeWitt and his friend at the Dave & Buster’s, the suspects decided to mock DeWitt. According to prosecutors, DeWitt did not partake in the drug deal, which was conducted by one of the defendants and one of DeWitt’s friends.

“I was trying to scare him. That’s why I pulled out the gun,” Bryan said. “When I pulled the gun out, and we had the confrontation, he got this look in his eye of rage, and that scared me. We got into that little tussle, and he was grabbing me, and we were grabbing each other.” Shots were then fired, resulting in DeWitt’s death.

Bryan and Richardson were arrested in Anderson County, South Carolina, a week after the shooting. Bryan was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus five years to serve, while Richardson was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus five years to serve. The third suspect, 19-year-old Kpadeh Jones, was not part of this plea deal and his case is still pending.