In the early morning hours of September 20, 2021, the life of 29-year-old Shakiyla DeVon Sample was tragically cut short in a Lawrenceville, Georgia home. An African American woman, Sample was discovered by police inside a residence on Prospect Church Road, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound. Neighbors had alerted authorities after hearing gunshots emanating from the house around 4:30 a.m.
The investigation swiftly pointed to her boyfriend, 31-year-old Ray Charles Evans, as the primary suspect. The couple had only been dating for a few weeks prior to the fatal incident. There was at least one other person present in the home at the time of the shooting. Following the discovery of Sample's body, Evans fled the scene. A collaborative effort between the Gwinnett County police and the Forsyth County SWAT team led to Evans's apprehension a few hours later. He was located in the parking lot of an auto parts store in Cumming.
Subsequent investigation into Evans's background revealed a history of violent and threatening behavior. Court records indicated that he had previously been the subject of a protective order taken out by a former landlord, whom he had threatened to kill. This history painted a disturbing picture of a pattern of escalating aggression.
As prosecutors prepared for trial, Ray Charles Evans opted to accept a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Following his guilty plea, a judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Following his arrest, Evans admitted to shooting Sample. In a statement, the Gwinnett County District Attorney expressed condolences to Ms. Sample's family and hoped the outcome would allow them to heal.
