Two men get life sentences in 2019 Stonecrest Mall parking lot shootout

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Two men have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in a shootout at the Mall At Stonecrest that led to a 26-year-old man’s death, District Attorney Sherry Boston’s office announced.

Jermel Campbell, 30, and Trayvon Williams, 29,  were sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years to serve for their involvement in the 2019 shooting. Both were found guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, four counts of Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony in connection with the death of Kevin Mcleod-Downer, 26. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick, who presided over the trial, handed down the sentences.

The charges stem from an argument that occurred on Sep. 29, 2019 at the Round1 Bowling & Arcade at The Mall at Stonecrest.

According to the investigation, Mcleod-Downer, his girlfriend and two friends were harassed by the defendants, who were also at Round1 with a large group. The defendants could be seen on surveillance video throughout the evening displaying gang hand signs to various people. At one point, members of the defendants’ group attempted to hit on Mcleod-Downer’s girlfriend. When she didn’t respond to their advances, they took it as a sign of disrespect. As Mcleod-Downer and his group were leaving the facility, there was a verbal altercation between the two groups.

After the argument the victim’s group walked toward their vehicle, and video surveillance shows a member of the defendants’ group re-entering Round1. Shortly after, the defendants’ entire group went outside to the parking lot.

When the victims became aware of the large group coming toward them, they began running to their car and a friend of Mcleod-Downer retrieved a firearm from the vehicle. Before he could use it, Defendant Campbell fired 15 shots in their direction while they took cover behind the car. Defendant Williams is also seen on surveillance video getting a firearm from his car and exchanging gunfire with the victim’s friend.

During the shootout, Campbell ran to Williams, took the gun from him, and continued shooting toward the victims. Campbell fired the fatal shot that killed Mcleod-Downer as Mcleod-Downer shielded his girlfriend from the gunfire, the District Attorney’s office stated in a news release.

As the defendants’ group fled the scene, Taron Williams shot multiple times in the direction of the victims from one of the fleeing cars. Taron Williams, who was set to be tried with Defendant Campbell and Defendant Trayvon Williams (unrelated to Taron Williams), did not appear for trial. He was taken into custody on a bench warrant on March 18, 2024 and will be tried at a later date.

The case, assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit, was prosecuted by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Josh Geller with assistance from Senior Assistant District Attorney Hannah Pendergast, DA Supervising Investigator Jacques Spencer, and Victim Advocate Christy Palmer. DeKalb County Police Department Detective Tappan led the initial investigation.