Judge Sentences Man After Shooting Kills 1, Injures 2 In Douglas Co.: Prosecutors

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A man was sentenced to prison after a jury convicted him of malice murder in connection with a deadly shooting that killed another man in Douglas County, prosecutors said Thursday.

A jury on Tuesday found Karlton Marquavious Sirmons, 37, guilty in connection with the shooting death of Tavarus Joiner, according to the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.

Joiner was killed in a shooting that injured two women on Nov. 2, 2024, prosecutors said.

The deadly shooting happened at Joiner's Douglas County home he shared with his girlfriend and their two children. Prosecutors said Joiner's cousin was living with them temporarily "to get away from (ex-boyfriend) Sirmons and his abuse."

The two surviving women told responding officers that they were attacked by Joiner, prosecutors said.

What Happened?

Sirmons was convicted of going into the home and kicking in the front door the day of the shooting, prosecutors said.

When inside, prosecutors said he started attacking his ex-girlfriend. When Joiner went to check on her, prosecutors said Sirmons shot him in the chest.

Sirmons then tried to shoot his ex-girlfriend, but when the gun jammed, she ran upstairs, prosecutors said.

Sirmons followed her into a master bedroom, where Joiner had been laying. He then shot Joiner in the back, prosecutors said.

Joiner's girlfriend attempted to call 911 but was shot in the leg by Sirmons, prosecutors said.

Sirmons ended the emergency call and tried to shoot her in the face, prosecutors said. However, the gun jammed once more, and Sirmons hit her in the head with the gun, prosecutors said.

Joiner and his girlfriend's young children were in the room and hiding under the bed covers at the time, prosecutors said. One of them came from under the covers and jumped into the arms of Joiner's ex-girlfriend, prosecutors said.

Sirmons was accused of then pistol whipping his ex-girlfriend and the child she was holding.

The ex-girlfriend escaped and barricaded herself in a guest bathroom, prosecutors said.

Sirmons broke through the bottom of the door and shot his ex-girlfriend eight times, prosecutors said. The shooting stopped because the gun ran out of bullets, prosecutors said.

After he fled the scene, prosecutors said Villa Rica Police were able to identify Sirmons and his vehicle.

Villa Rica and Cobb County police officers tracked and arrested Sirmons two hours after the shooting in Cobb, prosecutors said.

The two women who were injured in the shooting were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and have recovered. However, prosecutors say Joiner died of his injuries.

The jury convicted Sirmons of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, cruelty to children and other charges, prosecutors said.

Douglas County Superior Court Judge Deah B. Warren sentenced Sirmons to life without the possibility of parole.

“Tavarus Joiner’s life was taken in an act of violence that devastated the adults and children gathered in a family home," Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine said in a news release.

"While no verdict can restore his life or undo the harm suffered, the jury’s decision holds the defendant accountable. We know the healing continues for the Joiner and (...) family and all those affected. We hope that this verdict is helpful for that process. We thank our prosecution team and investigative partners for their commitment to seeking justice in this case.”