In a tragic turn of events on a June afternoon in Atlanta, a dispute over a sidewalk dice game escalated into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 27-year-old Selemon Belai. The incident, which unfolded on June 3, 2014, at the intersection of Auburn Avenue and Bell Street in the northeast of the city, brought a sudden and violent end to what began as a casual game among acquaintances.
An argument, reportedly sparked by accusations of cheating, quickly spiraled out of control, leading to a deadly exchange of gunfire.
During the altercation, Dexter Beard, who was 29 at the time, drew a weapon and fired multiple shots. Belai was struck five times in the back and legs. In the ensuing chaos, Beard was also shot several times, as were three other men present at the scene. While the other wounded individuals survived their injuries, Selemon Belai succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead.
Following an investigation into the shooting, Dexter Beard was identified as the shooter and subsequently arrested. In 2015, a Fulton County jury convicted him of murder for the death of Selemon Belai. He was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional five years. The case, however, took a significant turn in October 2018 when a judge granted Beard's motion for a new trial. This decision was later upheld by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2019, which determined that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ordering a new trial based on the evidence presented.
