Athens Man Sentenced To 30 Years In Fatal Gang Shooting: AG

ATHENS, GA — A 27-year-old Athens man was recently sentenced to 30 years in connection with the Oct. 21, 2022, fatal shooting of a suspected gang member, Attorney General Chris Carr said Monday.

Carr said Jeffery Rice, accused of being a Red Tape Gang member, pleaded guilty on Aug. 14 to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, four counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, first-degree criminal damage to property and driving while license suspended.

He was sentenced to 18 years in prison with the remainder of his 30-year sentence to be spent on strict probation, Carr said.

The attorney general said Rice and fellow accused gang member Alijah Nelson drove into a Gaines School Road gas station parking lot on Oct. 21, 2022, when they saw a rival gang member walking past their vehicle.

After Rice stopped the vehicle, he and Nelson got out of it, and Nelson began shooting at the rival gang member, Carr said. Rice is believed to have shot at least once before the gun jammed, Carr said.

"The rival gang member received multiple gunshot wounds to his abdomen and back but was able to return fire in self-defense, killing Alijah Nelson in the process," read Carr's news release.

Rice was arrested seven days later in connection with Nelson's death. Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit indicted Rice in January, Carr said.

“This conviction is yet another step in our ongoing efforts to dismantle the growing gang networks that continue to incite violence in our communities,” Carr said in the release. “We have been working with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department since the very beginning, and our strong partnership has already resulted in gang members behind bars and even more defendants still facing serious charges. All Georgians deserve to be safe, and we will never stop fighting to rid our streets of this dangerous and criminal activity.”