Lilburn, Georgia – A man convicted of murder in Gwinnett County has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, along with an additional five years. After less than an hour of deliberation, a jury reached their decision in the case of O’Shane Scott, 30. The incident occurred in 2021 at an apartment complex on Crossing Way.
According to Gwinnett County officials, Scott was with his girlfriend in the parking lot of the complex when Karre Rivers, 25, arrived. They both went back to the apartment, and Scott later came out to ask his girlfriend for the keys. It was at this moment that shots rang out, with Scott sustaining fatal gunshot wounds.
Authorities reported that as Scott’s girlfriend rushed to the apartment, she encountered Rivers leaving the scene with his hands in his pockets. She discovered Scott inside, gravely injured, and called the police. Despite multiple witnesses testifying to seeing Rivers leaving the scene, he initially claimed that he had found Scott already shot.
During the investigation, Rivers changed his story, admitting to a physical altercation with Scott. Rivers alleged that Scott had a gun and that he acted in self-defense by retrieving his own gun and firing multiple shots. One of Rivers’ shots disabled Scott’s gun, while others struck him. Rivers then put Scott’s gun back in his hand and disposed of his own firearm in another state.
Following the verdict, Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson emphasized the tragic consequences of gun violence and urged potential offenders to reconsider their actions. She stated, “This incident didn’t have to end in Mr. Scott’s death. This conviction serves as a reminder that it is never acceptable to resort to deadly force to resolve a dispute.”
The swift sentencing sends a strong message that the court system is committed to holding those who engage in violent acts accountable for their actions. The case serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating impact that gun violence can have on communities.