DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — A judge has sentenced three men convicted in the deadly Sweet 16 party shooting in Douglasville that left two teenagers dead in 2023.
While the three men were found not guilty of murder, a jury previously convicted Timothy Coleman Jr., 20, and Kingston Cottman, 19, of aggravated assault, violating the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and firearm possession charges.
RELATED: Verdict returned in trial over shooting that left 2 teens dead at Douglasville Sweet 16 party
On Thursday, the judge revealed the following sentences for the men:
- Timothy Coleman Jr. will receive a five year sentence on each weapons charge to run consecutive to all other sentences. Coleman will also receive 20 years for aggravated assault, gang charges, the criminal damage to property charges-- a total of 320 years.
- Kingston Cottman will receive a five year sentence on each weapons charge to run consecutive to all other sentences. Cottman will also receive 20 years for aggravated assault, gang charges, the criminal damage to property charges-- a total of 320 years.
- Tahkel Beverly-Smart will receive 20 years after being convicted on a gang-related charge.
You can watch the judge's full sentencing in the video below:
More on the case
The shooting happened on Sitka Drive and Talkeetna Road on March 4, 2023. More than 100 teenagers were attending the party. Authorities said the homeowners shut down the party as it grew out of control. The shooting then happened about 50 yards away in the street of the cul-de-sac. Police said Aj'anaye Hill and Samuel Moon were not the intended targets.
Hill was found lying in the street dead with a gunshot wound to the back of her head. Moon was critically injured at the scene, and first responders attempted to revive him at the scene before he died.
Law enforcement's investigation revealed that the defendants got out of the car armed prior to the shooting with "modified automatic weapons" and approached a high school student who had reposted a comment on social media referencing a fellow gang member's suicide, the release from the Douglas County District Attorney stated.
They approached to fight him in masks and began pistol-whipping him. The defendants then began to attack the high schooler in the middle of the crowd at the party and then began shooting with automatic weapons into the crowd of predominantly high schoolers.
They were all members of the Doubleback Gang, or DBG, a hybrid gang well-known in Cobb County, the Douglas County D.A.'s Office said.
Back in August, four other defendants, including Michael Williams, who received a life sentence with parole eligibility, pleaded guilty prior to the trial in exchange for reduced sentences and cooperation with prosecutors.