Georgia Gunman Sentenced For Flatbush Funeral Murders, DA Says

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN -- A Georgia gunman who sparked a violent shootout outside a Flatbush funeral will spend 25 years in prison for murder, prosecutors said.

Fritz Celestine, 43, was sentenced Wednesday on charges stemming from a gunfight outside the Emmanual Church of God at 1365 Flatbush Ave. on April 27, 2015 at about 8:30 p.m. , according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

Sharieff Clayton, Celestine's soon-to-be victim, and the Georgia man were arguing outside the church when Clayton threw a punch and Celestine and two friends pulled out guns, prosecutors said.

Celestine, Pierre Celestine and another man shot and killed Clayron and another man named Ronald Murphy, said prosecutors. Three bystanders were also wounded by gunfire.

Celestine, of Marietta in Georgia, was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years to life in prison in Brooklyn Supreme Court, where a jury found him guilty of murder in October, said prosecutors.

Pierre Celestine is awaiting trial and the third gunman has not yet been found, said prosecutors.

Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn District Attorney's office