In the early morning hours of May 17, 2018, a dispute over a small amount of marijuana in a Stone Mountain, Georgia apartment tragically escalated, ending the life of 23-year-old Justice Ranyha Rashad Jackson. An African American male, Jackson was visiting his friend at the apartment of Christie Montgomery, a 35-year-old woman who lived there with her child and the friend who was her roommate.
The night took a fatal turn when Montgomery accused Jackson, her roommate, and another mutual friend of stealing her marijuana and ordered them to leave.
After the group had left, the roommate realized she had forgotten her cell phone and they returned to the apartment to look for it. This seemingly simple act enraged Montgomery, who then retrieved a gun. She walked outside and shot Jackson once in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Jackson was able to draw his own weapon and fire back, though his shot did not hit anyone. His friends attempted to get help from neighbors while Montgomery retreated into her apartment and locked the door. Jackson was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
When police arrived at the scene, Montgomery refused to open her door. After a few hours, officers forced entry into the apartment and found her with her child. She initially claimed that she had kicked the three out for stealing money and had only heard gunshots after she had closed her door.
Christie Montgomery was arrested and subsequently charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. During her trial, the argument over the allegedly stolen marijuana was identified as the catalyst for the shooting. Her defense that the shooting occurred after she had already distanced herself from the situation was not accepted by the court. On March 18, 2022, a jury found Christie Montgomery guilty of all charges. She was sentenced to life in prison plus five years for the death of Justice Jackson.
