In a tragic turn of events that unfolded on October 4, 2016, a 25-year-old African American male named Esmond Ford was shot and killed in Marietta, Georgia, just days before he would have celebrated his 26th birthday. The fatal encounter took place at the Belmont Place Apartments located on Windy Hill Road.
The morning of the incident, Charon Brazzel, a 29-year-old from Riverdale, enlisted the help of his acquaintance, 29-year-old Carl Maurice McCline, for a ride to the apartment complex
under the guise of purchasing marijuana. Armed with a. 38 special revolver, Brazzel entered Ford's apartment while McCline waited outside. Inside, Brazzel opened fire, fatally wounding Ford and injuring another man with gunshots to his arm and eye. The second victim managed to escape the apartment and alert the authorities.
Upon hearing the gunshots, McCline fled to his vehicle, and Brazzel followed shortly after. The two then drove to McCline’s residence. The ensuing police investigation quickly led them to McCline, who was found in possession of the murder weapon. McCline cooperated with law enforcement, which led to the apprehension of Brazzel three days later, on what would have been Ford's birthday. During questioning, Brazzel confessed to the shooting, revealing that he had gone to the apartment with the intention of killing Ford as a result of personal disputes and to avenge a perceived wrong against his girlfriend.
In August 2019, Charon Brazzel entered a guilty plea to charges including murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He received a sentence of life in prison plus an additional five years. Carl Maurice McCline also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and one count of aggravated assault. His sentence was 20 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison.
