Gunman In Gas Station Killing Of Dad Sentenced: DeKalb D.A.

DECATUR, GA — A Loganville man was recently convicted of murder after being accused of shooting and killing a father in front of his son, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said Monday.

A DeKalb County jury on Thursday convicted Kevon Lloyd Simpson, 31, of malice murder and other charges in connection with the June 13, 2021 shooting death of Gabriel Yalledy, 55.

Between 4:45 p.m. and 5 p.m., Simpson arrived at a Browns Mill Road gas station in a black BMW and exited the car to approach Yalledy, prosecutors said.

Simpson then began punching Yalledy and asking for the location of his son, prosecutors said.

"Those who witnessed the incident said it appeared Defendant Simpson’s actions were premeditated and that he came looking for a fight with Yalledy, Jr.," Boston's office said in a news release.

Yalledy's son, who was riding by the gas station, then saw the dispute and ran to try to separate Simpson from his father, prosecutors said. After Yalledy's son punched Simpson, prosecutors said Simpson then pulled out a gun.

During the fight between Yalledy's son and Simpson, the gun fell to the ground and the father-son duo attempted to keep Simpson from retrieving the gun, prosecutors said. The pair held Simpson down on the ground, prosecutors said.

However, a man who was with Simpson intervened and convinced Yalledy's son to let go of Simpson, prosecutors said.

As Yalledy and his son were walking away from the scene, prosecutors said Simpson then grabbed the gun and shot three times at them. The first two shots were aimed toward the ground, but prosecutors said it was the third shot that hit Yalledy.

Subsequently, Simpson called 911 and remained at the gas station "to meet with responding officers," prosecutors said.

Simpson claimed to shoot Yalledy in self-defense, but prosecutors said witness video showed Yalledy and his son walking away when the gun was shot.

The jury convicted Simpson of malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, prosecutors said.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson sentenced Simpson to serve life in prison, plus an additional 10 years in prison and five years on probation, prosecutors said.