Man sentenced to life in prison for deadly triple shooting at Douglas County home

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A man was given a life sentence for a shooting rampage at a Douglas County home that left another man dead and two women, including his ex-girlfriend, with serious injuries, prosecutors said.

On Tuesday, Karlton Marquavious Sirmons, 37, was convicted on charges of malice murder, two counts of felony murder and “additional numerous counts” including cruelty to children, according to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

The judge then sentenced Sirmons to life without the possibility of parole, based on the facts of the case and his previous criminal history.

On Nov. 2, 2024, officers responded to reports of gunfire at the Villa Rica home of Tavarus Joiner, his longtime girlfriend Krisna Chea and their two young children.

Jacquenette Joiner – Sirmons’ ex-girlfriend and Tavarus’ cousin – was also temporarily staying with Tavarus and Chea to get away from Sirmons and his abusive behavior, prosecutors said.

Officers found Tavarus shot to death, and Jacquenette and Chea seriously injured by gunfire. Despite their injuries, they were able to tell officers they had been attacked by Sirmons.

Earlier that day, Sirmons kicked in the front door of the home. Once inside, he began attacking Jacquenette.

When Tavarus came to check on Jacquenette, Sirmons shot him in the chest. Sirmons tried to shoot Jacquenette but his gun jammed, and she ran upstairs.

Sirmons chased Jacquenette into the master bedroom, where Tavarus was lying on the floor and Chea was trying to call 911. Chea and Tavarus’ two young children were also in the room, hiding under the bed covers.

Sirmons shot Tavarus in the back, then shot Chea in the leg and took away her phone, ending the 911 call she was trying to make. He then tried to shoot her in the face, but his gun jammed again, so he instead struck her in the head with the gun.

One of the children jumped into Jacquenette’s arms, after which Sirmons pistol-whipped Jacquenette and the child.

Jacquenette escaped to a guest bathroom and barricaded herself inside. Sirmons broke through the bottom half of the door, then shot Jacquenette eight times.

Sirmons left the home after he ran out of bullets. Authorities arrested him in Cobb County two hours later.

Prosecutors said an adult family member with autism was also in the home during the attack.

Jacquenette and Chea were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. They both eventually recovered from their injuries, and testified against Sirmons at the trial.

“Tavarus Joiner’s life was taken in an act of violence that devastated the adults and children gathered in a family home,” District Attorney Dalia Racine said in a statement. ”While no verdict can restore his life or undo the harm suffered, the jury’s decision holds the defendant accountable. We know the healing continues for the Joiner and Chea family and all those affected. We hope that this verdict is helpful for that process. We thank our prosecution team and investigative partners for their commitment to seeking justice in this case.”