14-Year-Old Boy To Stand Trial For Murder

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A 14-year-old boy will stand trial for murder as an adult next week in Gwinnett County.

Reginald Lofton is charged with murder, felony murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault for his role in the March 1 shooting death of Shane Varnadore, a 28-year-old pizza delivery driver.

The Gwinnett County District Attorney's office announced that Lofton's case is scheduled to get under way on Monday.

According to police, Lofton and Jermaine Young, 21 — both of Lawrenceville — robbed and then shot Varnadore, who drove for Papa John's, during a delivery to an apartment complex off of Herrington Road.

After a brief investigation, a lead in the case led Gwinnett County Police to execute a search warrant at that same apartment complex, during which Lofton and Young, were arrested.

Lofton was identified by police because he was charged as an adult.

Detectives have testified in preliminary hearings in the case that Lofton and Young have blamed each other for the shooting.

"This is a tragic situation for the family of the decedent and the family of the suspects involved," Gwinnett Police Cpl. Deon Washington said at the time of the arrests.

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