ATLANTA — A convicted felon who received a 25-year sentence as part of a negotiated plea deal is now accused of killing a 22-year-old Atlanta man and opening fire on three other people just one day earlier.
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Channel 2 Action News obtained court records detailing the criminal history of 23-year-old Robert Demardre Smith, who is charged in the September killing of Nehemiah Barron.
Barron, 22, grew up in Atlanta’s Oakland City neighborhood. Those who knew him described him as funny, handsome and charming. He enjoyed playing basketball and making music.
On Sept. 24, Atlanta firefighters responded to an apartment fire at 1700 Stanton Road in southwest Atlanta. When crews entered the apartment, they discovered Barron’s body.
Atlanta police investigators say Smith shot Barron multiple times in the head before setting the apartment on fire.
But investigators say Barron’s killing was not the only violent incident involving Smith that week.
According to arrest affidavits obtained by Channel 2 Action News, Smith is accused of opening fire on three people during a five-minute period on Sept. 23.
The alleged shooting happened between 2:20 p.m. and 2:25 p.m. at 1165 Oakland Lane in southwest Atlanta.
Court documents identify the three alleged victims as Breunta Sales, Khaari Please and Lester Witchett.
Investigators say Smith discharged a firearm in Sales’ direction. The affidavit does not indicate that Sales was struck.
However, separate affidavits allege that Please and Witchett were both struck by gunfire and injured.
Smith was accused of aggravated assault in connection with the incident.
The following day, firefighters discovered Barron’s body inside the burned apartment on Stanton Road.
On Oct. 2, Atlanta police homicide investigators announced they had established probable cause and obtained arrest warrants charging Smith in Barron’s killing.
At the time, Smith was already being held in the Fulton County Jail on unrelated charges.
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Channel 2 Action News also reviewed Smith’s criminal history and learned that he is a convicted felon with multiple previous encounters with the criminal justice system.
According to Atlanta police, Smith has six criminal cycles in Georgia involving offenses that include armed robbery, motor vehicle hijacking, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit a felony, battery, rioting in a penal institution, obstruction and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Court records reviewed by Channel 2 Action News show Smith was convicted in December as part of a negotiated plea agreement.
He received a 25-year sentence but was given credit for time already served in jail and allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence on probation, according to those records.
As investigators continue working to determine a motive, those who knew Barron are remembering the young man behind the headlines.
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Alicia Thompson, a neighbor who spoke with Channel 2 Action News following the deadly fire, described him as someone who was always willing to help others.
“He’s helped me with groceries, helped me with my dogs,” Thompson said.
She also remembered his positive attitude and the way he treated those around him.
“He’s usually the mediator,” Thompson said. “He’s always having an upbeat attitude, always smiling, always happy.”
Thompson said learning about the death was devastating.
“It’s very unfortunate, and it’s heartbreaking. Honestly, he wasn’t one of those people that you would think that would happen to,” she said.
Smith remains in the Fulton County Jail, where he faces murder, aggravated assault and first-degree arson charges in connection with Barron’s death.
Investigators have not publicly established a motive or explained whether they believe the Sept. 23 shooting and Barron’s killing are connected.
The charges against Smith are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.