A Crips gang member has been convicted of first degree murder after allegedly shooting a man during a drug deal back in 2016.
Demorris Sanchez McKenzie, 28, was convicted Wednesday of first degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and driving on a revoked license, according to the Knox County District Attorney's Office.
Knoxville Police Officers responded to a shooting at the Ridgebrook Apartment Complex on Feb. 27, 2016. When arrived, they uncovered that McKenzie sold fake drugs to the victim, later identified as Daniel McFalls.
According to Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Ashley McDermott, McKenzie and McFalls argued about the fake drugs while in the parking lot of the apartment complex when McKenzie shot him in the abdomen with an assault rifle.
FEBRUARY 2016 | KPD: Drug deal led to fatal shooting near downtown
The district attorneys office said McKenzie then walked up to McFalls, who was laying on the ground, and shot him two more times, once in the arm and once in the back.
McKenzie has four prior felony convictions. Judge Bob McGee imposed a mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction and set a sentencing for May 4 to address the other counts.
According to the DA's office, the life sentence imposed Wednesday means McKenzie will not be eligible for parole until he serves 51 years in prison.
