Family of Dallas murder victim confronts killer in court: “I would blow your damn head off!”

DALLAS – The families of two murder victims faced the killer during his hearing in a Dallas County courtroom.

Kevin Sheffield was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the seemingly random murders of two men.

The convicted murderer sat expressionless during the victim's statements on Monday.

A judge sentenced Sheffield to 50 years in prison after he pleaded guilty and admitted to two murders. Two 50-year sentences will be served concurrently.

Sheffield shot and killed 65-year-old Joseph Syas in May 2022 as he walked home from the store.

Joseph was on his way home from Eastridge Drive in northeast Dallas when Sheffield, then 20 years old, drove past Joseph in his mother's car, turned around and shot him.

“As he was coming back from the store, he was hit by bullets from all sides for no reason. For no reason,” said his niece Kenyetta Peters.

According to police, there was apparently no motive.

“I hate you. I pray you never see the light of day again. I hate you,” said Ceola Syas, Joseph's sister. “I don't know what's going on inside you. I don't even know what kind of animal you are, but you didn't have to kill my brother.”

License plate readers led investigators to Sheffield's parents' home in Lake Highlands. Ballistics data from a gun found in the home linked it to another murder a month earlier.

Mohamed Kamara, 64, who lived across the street from Sheffield, was killed outside his Skillman Street apartment as he walked to work. Kamara moved to North Texas from Sierra Leone, West Africa.

“He was looking for greener pastures,” said Kamara’s cousin.

Joseph Syas (family photo)

Kamara's cousin says he leaves behind a wife and three children and has been preparing for retirement. He says he sees no remorse from Sheffield.

“That’s what I’m struggling with,” his cousin said.

“I have waited two years for this day just to see you,” said Anthony Syas, Joseph's brother. “What you did to my brother was not kill him, you murdered him. You shot my brother, walked down the street and came back and shot my brother again and watched my brother die.”

Joseph's family expressed anger, despair and sadness.

“I wish they'd given you two years, because I swear to God, I'm going to blow your damn head off!” Anthony said. “I'm not touching it. I'm gone.”

Family members also pointed out that Sheffield appeared to show no remorse.

“He just sat there and looked like he didn't care,” said Tamara Syas, Joseph's niece. “We know he's off the streets. My family and I will do everything we can to make sure he serves his sentence to the end of those 50 years.”

Judge Brandon Birmingham mentioned other cases that Sheffield may be connected to.

“There were other cases, but I'm not sure if they were filed. But they are not being pursued. Is that correct?” he asked the prosecutors.

Prosecutors told the judge those were the only two cases they had filed and declined to comment further to FOX 4.

Dallas police said Sheffield is not a suspect in any other homicide cases.

Sheffield's deal came just weeks before his scheduled trial. He will receive credit for the time he has already served and will be eligible for parole after 25 years in prison.