22-year-old Atlanta man convicted of murder after dispute at rooming house

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A 22-year-old Atlanta man accused of shooting and killing a 51-year-old man outside a rooming house was convicted on Thursday (June 13).  

Jurors found Sincere Rush  guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony stemming from the death of Marcus Bradford on Nov. 28, 2022.   

According to the investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a report of a person shot at a home in the 3300 block of Clifton Church Road around 10 a.m.  

When they arrived, they found Bradford on the ground in the carport of the home with a gunshot wound to his torso.  Rush was also at the scene.  

Investigators learned the homeowner does not live on the property but was renting each of the five bedrooms to separate tenants.  Bradford’s girlfriend was one of the renters.  She told police that she and Bradford were sitting in a car in the carport eating pizza.  Suddenly, Rush came outside and confronted Bradford, saying “y’all know I sleep right here, right?”  

Bradford got out of the car to talk to Rush and explained that he and his girlfriend were not being loud. Rush shot him, according to the investigation.  

Rush called 911 and said Bradford had approached him aggressively and that he shot Bradford in self-defense.  Surveillance video from the carport, however, captured audio and video of the shooting.  The footage showed Defendant Rush went to the carport with a gun and Bradford was unarmed during the exchange.   

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie, who presided over the trial, has scheduled a sentencing hearing for Rush on July 10.  

The case, assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit, was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tauri Thomas with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Emily Donkervoet, District Attorney Investigator Christopher Hollowood, and Supervising Victim Advocate Ikwo Nyong.  DeKalb County Police Department Det. Smith and Det. Wright led the initial investigation.