Man Convicted for Killing Georgia State Soccer Player in 2012

An Atlanta man has been convicted for the 2012 murder of a former Georgia State University soccer player.

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has announced the conviction of 32-year-old Emery Parrish on counts of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, hit and run, possession of cocaine, and weapons offenses and has been sentenced to a 47-year term in prison for the shooting death of 23-year-old Ayokunle Lumpkin.

According to prosecutors, Parrish was driving his brother’s vehicle in the 200 block of Milton Avenue on Aug. 19, 2012, when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed through two fences and hit another car. Parrish then drove a short distance from the scene and got out of the car to inspect the damage.

Lumpkin and the owner of the damaged car approached Parrish, and an argument quickly ensured between Parrish and the car owner. Lumpkin pulled the two apart, but a crowd had gathered and Parrish began fighting with them. Prosecutors allege that Parrish then reached into the vehicle he was driving, retrieved a pistol, and fired into the crowd. Lumpkin was struck in the chest and killed.

Parrish left the area in his brother’s vehicle, but turned himself in to police when warrants were issued for his arrest.