In a tragic turn of events on June 10, 2017, 21-year-old Darin Thurman Jr. of Lawrenceville was shot and killed while sitting in his car at the Austin Oaks apartments on Glenwood Road in Decatur, Georgia. The young man was with his 19-year-old brother at the time, the two having gone to the location to meet with women.
According to witness statements provided to law enforcement, the incident unfolded when a man, later identified as 19-year-old Iran King of Decatur, approached the
vehicle. King allegedly knocked on the window, pointed a firearm at Thurman, spoke to him, and then opened fire, shooting Thurman multiple times. In the immediate aftermath, Thurman's brother fled the scene to call for help.
Following the shooting, a witness reported seeing the suspect removing items from Thurman's car. The investigation later determined that a handgun, wallet, cell phone, and cash were taken from the vehicle. Responding to a 911 call, police discovered Thurman slumped over in his shot-up 2016 Nissan Sentra, having sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and left arm.
The investigation led to the identification of two suspects. On July 3, 2017, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office arrested Iran King at his residence on Emerald North Drive. He was charged with felony murder and armed robbery. A second suspect, 19-year-old Darnell Thompson, also from Decatur, was identified as a possible accomplice. On July 13, 2017, Thompson was arrested without incident at a home on Wild Springs Court and subsequently charged with felony murder and armed robbery. Both men were booked into the DeKalb County Jail.
