Accused gang members sentenced after fatal shooting at Sweet 16 party in Douglasville

ATLANTA, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – Four men have been charged for their roles in a deadly shooting at a Douglasville house party that left two people dead and 10 injured last year.

On March 4, 2023, 14-year-old Ajanaye Hill and 15-year-old Samuel Moon were killed outside a home on Talkeetna Drive where a Sweet 16 party was taking place. Investigators said the shooting was a gang-related killing and that Hill and Moon were innocent bystanders, with 10 other people also shot. More than 100 people attended the party.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents of teenager killed at Sweet 16 party demand justice

Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the crime: Timothy Coleman Jr., Tahkel Beverly-Smart, Kingston Cottman, Noah Bradley, Michael Williams and twins Chase and Chance McDowell.

Michael Williams, 21, was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of participating in a criminal street gang, 10 counts of aggravated assault and 11 counts of aggravated battery. He pleaded guilty on Friday as the judge heard heartbreaking testimony from the victims' families.

Williams was sentenced to life in prison plus five years with the possibility of parole.

Noah Bradley, 20, was charged with first-degree murder, premeditated murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm, criminal damage to property and participation in criminal gang activity.

Bradley pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault after an agreement was reached that the other charges against him would be dropped. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $200,000. Prosecutors asked the judge for a sentence of 20 years, with 5 years to be served in prison. As a condition of his guilty plea, his sentencing was deferred because Bradley agreed to testify at the trial of his co-defendants.

Tahkel Beverly-Smart and Kingston Cottman pleaded not guilty to a number of charges, including premeditated murder, first-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal gang activity and criminal damage to property.

Her trial date has been set for September 30.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

“It was a gang murder”: 4 suspects in murder case at house party in Douglasville in court

Parents of teenager killed at Sweet 16 party demand justice

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