GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County jury found a man guilty of fatally shooting a man in what officials called a "revenge shooting murder."
Neil Patrick Frasdilla, 27, was convicted of multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during a felony stemming from the shooting death of Darius Dugger, 46, in Sept. 2023.
According to the District Attorney's Office, the conflict between Frasdilla and Dugger began in 2022 when Frasdilla’s then-girlfriend sought help from Dugger and his fiancé, claiming she was being abused by Frasdilla. After seeing her injuries, Dugger confronted Frasdilla, leading to a physical fight that was eventually broken up, and they seemingly resolved the issue.
On the day of the murder, Frasdilla rented a grey Tesla and followed Dugger, who was with his fiancé and their 4-year-old child, to a restaurant at Mall Corners in Duluth. When Dugger parked behind the Red Lobster, Frasdilla pulled up beside him and opened fire, killing Dugger.
Evidence left at the scene, including the Tesla's passenger side mirror cover and three shell casings, helped identify Frasdilla, according to a release.
Witnesses quickly called 911, providing crucial information to authorities. Within the hour, police used surveillance footage and GPS data from the Tesla rental to track and arrest Frasdilla.
Further investigation revealed that Frasdilla had discarded the murder weapon in a wooded area, and the Tesla's built-in camera captured him handling the gun. The GBI crime lab matched the bullet that killed Dugger to this handgun,
District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson expressed relief at the verdict, saying, "We are happy to see justice served in this case. This was a calculated, premeditated murder. It is unconscionable to imagine someone lying in wait for nearly a year to kill a person they argued with."
A sentencing hearing for Frasdilla is scheduled for May 28.
